Matriarch: A Memoir

In January, Knowles, Solange, and Kelly joined together to be with Beyoncé before she had her first baby, Blue Ivy. They were especially worried about Beyoncé because she’d had several miscarriages and desperately wanted this baby. Meanwhile, she faced constant ridicule in the press and online; rumors spread that she was faking the pregnancy. Knowles wanted to address the matter publicly, but Beyoncé begged her not to.

Mathew resurfaced when Beyoncé had the baby. He begged for Knowles to take him back, but she refused. Her girls comforted her. She admitted she was lonely and worried she wouldn’t find love again. They reminded her that she was beautiful and talented, and needed to claim her strength. She “took this new insight into therapy” (349) and worked even harder to confront her trauma. She was surprised to discover how angry she was with Agnes, and worked to confront this internal upset.

Knowles went on a date with a man she met through House of Deréon. She enjoyed their time together but realized how set he was in his ways when he refused to dance with her. She had no interest in dating younger men and worried dating was too hard. Then she took a trip to Africa with her girls. It gave her “a new confidence” (355) in herself.

Knowles spent her 59th birthday with Beyoncé. Worried about Knowles, Beyoncé asked who in her life made her laugh. Knowles remembered her old friend Monica, whom she’d lost touch with. Beyoncé urged her to call Monica. They got back in touch, made amends for their past, and made plans to meet up. They soon started spending a lot of time together. Monica even joined Knowles on a trip abroad.

Before Monica’s wedding, Knowles and Monica went out in LA. Over lunch, they discussed Knowles’s love life. Monica called their mutual friend Richard to see if he knew any men for Knowles, as she wanted a date for Monica’s wedding. Richard suggested that he and Knowles go out. They started seeing each other and Knowles appreciated this new version of love.

In 2014, Kelly told the family she was pregnant. Everyone welcomed her baby. Not long after, her mom Doris died. Knowles comforted her through this difficult time.

Knowles and Richard got married. At the wedding, Knowles took a photo with Selena and Blue. The image represented multiple generations at once.

Knowles spent time in Louisiana when Solange was there working on her album. One day, Mathew visited. Knowles was initially uncomfortable, but appreciated the reunion. She could see how much Mathew had grown.

Meanwhile, Solange furthered her career musically and otherwise. She got an exhibit at the Guggenheim, insisting that she display her sculpture despite the museum’s insistence that she couldn’t. Knowles reflects on her daughter’s strength.

Eager to do something meaningful in her retirement, Knowles started a mentorship program called Tina’s Angels. She loved the time she spent with the girls and felt purposeful doing this work.

Knowles and Jay worked together to throw Beyoncé a special 40th birthday party. Jay wanted Mathew there; although reluctant, Knowles agreed. At the party, she realized how happy Beyoncé was to have her family all together.

Knowles and Beyoncé worked together to plan the Renaissance Tour. They wanted it to be extravagant and to include hundreds of costume changes. They hired other stylists to work with them and the tour was a success.

Knowles woke up one morning and realized she needed to end her marriage to Richard. After the divorce, she felt better. She was able to embrace her life. Her friend Tyler Perry told her how proud he was of her for taking a risk and prioritizing herself.

Knowles and Beyoncé spent some time together in Houston. They revisited old haunts, including Beyoncé’s former school.

Knowles admits how hard it was to end the memoir. She wanted to find the right story or lesson. Instead, she shares the story of her cancer diagnosis. She had put off getting a mammogram and soon discovered she had breast cancer. Her daughters promised to stay by her side and did everything in their power to ensure she had the best care. She had a successful surgery and treatment and is now cancer-free. She recuperated at Beyoncé’s, and her daughters took her out to celebrate. She reveled in the night and the time with her girls.

Knowles reflects on her experience writing the memoir. She seeks out a final story to share with her reader, while studying photos of Beyoncé, Agnes, Solange, and Lumis. She is thankful for the time her writing process has given her to revisit her memories. She now feels strong and confident.