Matriarch

A Memoir

De: Tina Knowles

Narrado por: Tina Knowles, Beyoncé, Solange, Kelly Rowland, Angie Beyincé

OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • A revealing personal life story like no other—enlightening, entertaining, surprising, empowering—and a testament to the world-making power of Black motherhood

“You are Celestine,” she said. She squatted to push the hair off my face and pull leaves off my pajama legs. “Like my sister and my grandmother.” And there, under the pecan tree, as she did countless times, that day my mother told me stories of the mothers and daughters that went before me.

Tina Knowles, the mother of iconic singer-songwriters Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Solange Knowles, and bonus daughter Kelly Rowland, is known the world over as a Matriarch with a capital M: a determined, self-possessed, self-aware, and wise woman who raised and inspired some of the great artists of our time. But this story is about so much more than that.

Matriarch begins with a precocious, if unruly, little girl growing up in 1950s Galveston, the youngest of seven. She is in love with her world, with extended family on every other porch and the sounds of Motown and the lapping beach always within earshot. But as the realities of race and the limitations of girlhood set in, she begins to dream of a more grandiose world. Her instincts and impulsive nature drive her far beyond the shores of Texas to discover the life awaiting her on the other side of childhood.

That life’s journey—through grief and tragedy, creative and romantic risks and turmoil, the nurturing of superstar offspring and of her own special gifts—is the remarkable story she shares with listeners here. This is a binge-worthy chronicle of family love and heartbreak, of loss and perseverance, and of the kind of creativity, audacity, and will it takes for a girl from Galveston to change the world. It’s one brilliant woman’s intimate and revealing story, and a multigenerational family saga that carries within it the story of America—and the wisdom that women pass on to one another, mothers to daughters, across generations.

©2025 Tina Knowles (P)2025 Random House Audio

Amazing and Inspiring!

Each chapter is extraordinary and uplifting! I laughed and cried... I genuinely loved this book! Tina is a fantastic storyteller.

a true Matriarch of her family!

loved learning about Tina’s journey. What stood out to me is be your authentic self will off with consistency, even if in the moment it seems like you’re under-appreciated. So much of her story resonated with me. Thank you for sharing your journey.

Capturing and authentic and empowering!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a story teller Ms. Tina!!! I was captured in her family history story telling. And now, I wish I could have had something like this from my family! I am a female who has brown skin color , and this book has hypnotized me with girl power! I see Ms. Tina in a whole new amazing way ! My respects to her and her family, they made lemons into lemonade.🙇🏻‍♀️

Heartfelt and sincere

You kinda forget it’s Beyoncé’s mom. She tells her stories so detailed and beautifully. Definitely cried during a few chapters especially when talking about her parents (reminds me so much of my childhood). This woman has lived many lives and has gone through much more than I could have ever imagined. A must read!

Great Story Telling!

I really enjoyed listening to Momma Tina share her stories about her life as a daughter, mother, wife, sister, and friend. Truly a Matriarch

Made me feel like I was listening to my moms stories.

Within 5 minutes I was in tears. This book is written with so much love and respect to past generations. Ms. Tina took us through a journey of her life starting with her as a curious, feisty, full of life 5 year old with no boundaries to the powerhouse she is today. She navigates life with love and grace but don’t let her kindness fool you, she will let you have it if you ask for it. I love love loveeee this book. Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse of your beautiful life.

Love it!!!

I think Tina is a great mom and took care of all the girls very well!

BRILLIANT!

ive been a fan of all the girls so ive heard or seen momma T telling stories for 20 plus years but this was a real treat to lose myself in her story. ive always been intrigued by older black women’s wisdom, stories & their sayings she just reminds me of my grandmother & the older women I’ve befriended throughout my life that has gotten me through & some still are. this read has inspired me in many ways and humbled me you know how lifes experiences can sometimes divide a family core? that’s partly my life & during this read i was inspired to created a family group chat with my siblings & mother to share the memories of our childhood & laughs hopefully it puts on on the track to becoming close again. it’s so much i wanna say about how good this is my mind is everywhere so I’ll leave by simply saying thank you momma T for sharing.

beautiful

I laughed, I cried, I was delighted.. this is everything and above expectation.. I love her voice..and Uncle Johnny.. I can't stop crying...what a beautiful soul... bravo Mrs Tina!! I loved every minute of this..

Matriarch

Amazing and introspective look on womanhood. I loved every moment of it. Ms. Tina, the woman that you are is phenomenal.