Tina Knowles Opens Up About Her Battle with Breast Cancer
Tina knowles Parent
Tina’s parents were Agnéz Deréon and Lumis Albert Beyincé, a proud Creole couple from Louisiana. Her mom, Agnéz, was amazing with a needle and thread ,she used to make beautiful clothes by hand. That’s probably where Tina got her love for fashion. Later in life, she even started a clothing line called House of Deréon to honor her mom. The style of the brand was a mix of their Creole roots and modern fashion,just like Agnéz’s own timeless style.
Public Revelation
Tina Knowles, mother of global music icons Beyoncé and Solange, publicly shared her experience with breast cancer for the first time in an emotional interview with Gayle King.
Diagnosis and Delay
At age 71, Tina was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer following a mammogram that had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The test revealed two lumps—one benign and one cancerous.
Emotional Reaction
Tina admitted she was stunned by the diagnosis, expressing disbelief given her consistent efforts to maintain her health.Tina’s initial reaction was pure shock. That overwhelming, numbing feeling when your mind can’t quite catch up to reality. It’s like hearing words that don’t belong to your story — words like “diagnosis” — especially when you’ve done everything right.She exercised regularly, watched her diet, stayed active, and did all the “right” things we’re told to do to stay healthy. That’s what made the news so hard to process.
Importance of Regular Screenings
She acknowledged that keeping up with regular mammograms, as recommended for women over 55, might have caught the cancer earlier at Stage 0, before it had any chance to spread.
Treatment and Recovery
Despite the delay, the cancer hadn’t spread and was slow-growing. Tina underwent surgery in August and has since made a complete recovery.After discussing her options with her medical team, Tina chose to undergo surgery — a critical step toward healing. The procedure was scheduled for August, and while waiting was nerve-wracking, she remained focused on the light at the end of the tunnel.
Support from Family
Her daughters Beyoncé and Solange, along with close friends, stayed by her side before the surgery. Solange helped lift the mood with humor and music. She and their cousin Angie Beyincé also sang a spiritually meaningful song, which gave Tina a deep sense of peace.
Tina Knowles: The Youngest of Seven
Before Tina Knowles became a household name in fashion and the proud mother of music icons Beyoncé and Solange, she was the baby of her family. Born Celestine Ann Beyoncé, Tina was the youngest of seven siblings—with five sisters and one brother—in a loving Creole household in Galveston, Texas. Being the youngest, she often looked up to her older siblings and learned from their experiences. That strong foundation of family and culture would later shape the way she raised her own children and inspire her creative ventures, like the House of Deréon, named after her mother.
Post-Surgery Setback
Later, Tina faced a serious infection that almost prevented her from attending a major awards event in October. Her family encouraged her to prioritize recovery.
Accepting Recognition
Despite her condition, Tina chose to attend the Glamour Women of the Year event. She spoke about learning to accept recognition after years of shying away from the spotlight.
Emotional Reflection
During her speech, she emphasized the unbreakable bond with her daughters and how their support helped her through one of the most difficult times of her life.
