In a moving interview with CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, Tina Knowles—the 71-year-old matriarch of the Knowles family—opened up about her private battle with breast cancer. Speaking candidly, she revealed she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer last year after doctors discovered two tumors in her left breast during a routine mammogram. One of the tumors was benign—but the other was malignant.
“I’ve always tried to take care of myself. I just … was in disbelief,” Knowles shared during the heartfelt conversation.
A Delayed Screening and a Life-Saving Discovery
Knowles admitted that the pandemic had significantly delayed her health screenings. It had been several years since her last mammogram, and doctors told her that had she kept up with regular checkups, the cancer might have been caught even earlier—possibly at Stage 0. Fortunately, despite the delay, the cancer was slow-growing and had not spread.
In August, she underwent a lumpectomy, a procedure to remove the cancerous tumor. Today, she is proud to share that she has been declared cancer-free.
Family, Faith, and Laughter on Surgery Day
Tina credits her daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, as well as close friends, for helping her face the surgery with courage and even laughter. She recalled being extremely nervous the morning of the operation until Solange lightened the mood by playing a viral clip about the word “demure,” filling the hospital room with laughter.
“I get out of my head… Then I said, ‘I’m just so happy that y’all are here,'” Knowles remembered, tearfully.
Before being wheeled into surgery, Solange and their cousin Angie Beyincé sang “Walk With Me” for her—a gospel song that deeply resonated with her spirit. “It’s about God walking with you into something and protecting you,” she explained. “And I went in there feeling just like God has got me.”
Triumph Over Adversity
Although Knowles was still recovering from a severe infection following surgery, she decided not to miss Glamour’s 2024 Women of the Year event. Her daughter Beyoncé encouraged her to stay home and focus on healing, but Tina felt differently.
“This was my saying: ‘I deserve this,'” she asserted, reflecting on her resilience and right to celebrate herself after facing such a personal battle.
A Story of Strength and Survival
Tina Knowles’ courageous revelation is a powerful reminder of the importance of routine screenings, the strength found in family support, and the profound role faith can play during life’s most difficult moments. Her full interview airs on April 23rd, offering viewers a deeper glimpse into her emotional journey—and a celebration of her victory over cancer.
