TINA Knowles broke down in tears on Loose Women today as she opened up on her private battle with breast cancer, the pain of her divorce and fears about the pressures of fame on her grandchildren.
The 71-year-old mother of global superstars Beyoncé and Solange became emotional when she spoke about the importance of female friendships getting her through tough times in her life.
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Last year, Tina had surgery to remove a tumor after being diagnosed with stage one cancer and she underwent a breast reduction.
Speaking to the Loose Women panel today, she said: “Friendships with women is of the utmost importance to me to stay connected. When I went through that (breast cancer) I didn’t even have to tell them what was going on.
“I just went to Houston, gathered my girlfriends and went to church, and we went out partying at a club and dancing, and I just told them I don’t want to talk about what’s going on right now, and they were all right there for me.”
Asked if she felt like she needed to protect Beyoncé and Solange from her illness, she said: “Yeah, I did, but with this one they were the first people I told.
“They were the only ones I told for a while and they rallied around me.”
Fighting back tears, Tina continued: “They always had at those very difficult times.
“When I went through divorce, I was devastated, and my girls were right there to lift me up, and told me that I could do things, and made me laugh because at those times you need laughter too, they are my rock really.”
Tina also admitted she feels anxious seeing her grandchildren step into the spotlight, following a path carved out by Beyonce and Jay-Z.
She went on: “It’s always an element of fear about fame because you are literally opening yourself up to the public and you know it’s scary.
“It was very scary for me with Solange, I got to experience a lot of things with Beyonce because she was five years older.
“But with my grandchildren you have to let them do what they want to do in this life, you have to support them. Is it my first choice for them? Nah, it’s not. But what can I do?”
Tina spoke about finding herself and being happy on her own, but admitted she would still like to find love.
She said: “I would love to have a relationship and be in love but if I don’t get that I will be fine. I didn’t know that before70, I really didn’t.”
Beyonce’s mum finally settled her divorce from her ex-husband Richard Lawson last year with a large lump sum.
The Crazy in Love singer’s mum married Richard, 78, in April 2015 and filed for divorce on July 26, 2023.
Tina agreed to pay her ex-husband $300,000 in one payment, and neither would receive spousal support.
She was previously married to Mathew Knowles from 1980-2011.
The former couple welcomed Beyonce in 1981 and Solange in 1986.
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