Tina Knowles, mother of global superstar Beyoncé, has broken her silence on a private health battle that nearly changed everything. In her newly released memoir Matriarch, published on April 22, 2025, the 70-year-old fashion designer and business mogul revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer after delaying her mammogram for years.
A routine screening unveiled a cancerous tumor in her left breast and a larger, benign mass in her right. “My doctor told me I had breast cancer… Stage 1A,” she wrote. Despite the shock, Knowles noted that her medical team was optimistic about her prognosis. What followed was a whirlwind of appointments with oncologists and surgeons — and an emotional moment with her eldest daughter.
The diagnosis came with an unexpected twist: Tina kept the news from Beyoncé until the day she received it. Her account of the moment is detailed and raw. “She took it well, staying positive,” Knowles wrote. “I could already feel her mind racing… focused like a laser.” Beyoncé immediately stepped into action, insisting her mother get a second opinion and lining up one of the most reputable breast surgeons in the United States for a private consultation.
Knowles underwent surgery shortly afterward — a procedure that not only removed the cancer but also included a breast reduction. She confirmed in the book that she is now cancer-free, though the emotional toll and physical transformation were both profound. Her decision to delay a mammogram, she admits, was a near-costly mistake and one she hopes others won’t repeat.
Her story is now prompting widespread conversations about preventative health, especially among Black women. According to the American Cancer Society, Black women in the U.S. are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, often due to delayed diagnosis or unequal access to care. Tina’s revelation sheds light on how even those with privilege and resources can face life-threatening delays in routine health screening.
Fans, celebrities, and health experts have flooded social media with praise for Tina’s courage and Beyoncé’s swift and supportive role. The memoir, released by HarperOne, also dives into motherhood, business, and navigating fame, but this chapter is already proving to be one of the most talked-about.
Tina Knowles is now using her platform to advocate for early detection and regular screening. She ends the chapter with a message to women: “Don’t wait. Get checked. Life is too precious to delay.”
