Tina Knowles Opens Up About Past Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Beyoncé’s Reaction
Tina Knowles opens up about her past breast cancer diagnosis and the emotional moment she shared the news with her daughter, Beyoncé, offering a powerful glimpse into their close bond and her journey to recovery.
In her deeply personal new memoir, Matriarch: A Memoir, released on April 22, Tina Knowles shares a private chapter of her life that she had kept out of the public eye — a past breast cancer diagnosis that changed her perspective and highlighted the power of advocacy, family, and self-trust.
A Diagnosis Years in the Making
Knowles reveals that she was diagnosed with breast cancer after finally going to a long-overdue mammogram appointment. In her book, she recalls how her doctor delivered the news: a small cancerous tumor was found in her left breast, while a larger mass in her right breast turned out to be benign but still needed to be removed.
Her diagnosis was Stage 1A, and doctors reassured her that they had caught it early. “You're going to be fine,” her doctor told her — but the journey ahead still came with emotional and medical challenges.
Telling Beyoncé — and Her Powerful Response
Tina hesitated to share the diagnosis with her daughter Beyoncé late at night, knowing it would disrupt her sleep. She waited until the next day. “She took it well, staying positive,” Knowles writes, “and I could already feel her mind racing, focusing on this as a task to tackle with precision.”
True to form, Beyoncé quickly jumped into action, urging her mother to get a second opinion and finding one of the top breast surgeons in the country for a private consultation. Tina instantly connected with the surgeon’s energy and approach.
Why a Second Opinion Changed Everything
After meeting with a hospital-based surgeon and oncologist, Knowles realized how vital it was to advocate for her own care. The hospital oncologist made her feel “depressed and confused,” and didn't welcome her questions.
“That’s when I made my decision,” she writes. “I wasn’t going with the hospital surgeon who talked down to me. I went with the private surgeon, the woman who gave me options and hope.”
Knowles shares a powerful lesson from this experience: “You deserve second opinions, and it’s your opinion that sets the decision.” She especially emphasizes this message for Black patients, who she says often feel pressured to accept whatever care they’re initially offered — even when it’s not right for them.
Recovery, Family Support, and a Full-Circle Moment
After a successful surgery, which included a breast reduction, Knowles was declared cancer-free. She moved in with Beyoncé and her family during her recovery — a time she says was filled with love, support, and the comforting chaos of the “bustling” Carter household.
By October 2024, she had healed enough to attend Glamour’s Women of the Year event, where she was honored for her achievements. Seeing her daughters in the audience brought a wave of emotion and realization: this was a full-circle moment.
“They are my crew, my tribe, my rocks, my ride-or-dies,” she said during her speech. “They have been right there by my side at the lowest points in my life... and they cheered me on at the highest points of my life. Making me feel that I can conquer anything.”
Oprah’s Seal of Approval
Matriarch has already made waves — it was just selected as the latest pick for Oprah's Book Club. In a press release, Oprah Winfrey praised the memoir as a powerful account of Knowles’ life, resilience, and the legacy of strong women in her family.
“Tina Knowles is so much more than Beyoncé’s mom,” Oprah said. “She’s a fashion designer, philanthropist, and now a powerful storyteller. Her journey is one of strength, determination, and heart.”
Knowles was visibly moved by the endorsement. “I mean, it’s Oprah!!” she exclaimed. “Getting the seal of approval from Oprah, and knowing that she read it and loved it, made it all OK.”