- Wednesday, April 23, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
In a heartfelt conversation with CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, Tina Knowles, the 71-year-old mother of global superstars Beyoncé and Solange, revealed her recent battle with breast cancer.
Knowles shared how a missed mammogram during the COVID-19 pandemic delayed her diagnosis, and how her daughters’ support helped her through the emotional and physical toll of the disease.
Knowles was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in her left breast after doctors discovered two tumors during a mammogram that had been postponed for over a year. She explained that one of the tumors was benign, but the other tested positive for cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 55 undergo a mammogram every one to two years. Knowles acknowledged missing her screening due to the pandemic and not rescheduling until last year, a decision she later learned may have delayed an even earlier diagnosis at Stage 0.
“I’ve always tried to take care of myself. I just … was in disbelief,” Knowles said during the interview. Fortunately, the cancer was slow-growing and had not spread. She underwent a lumpectomy in August 2024 to remove the malignant tumor. After successful surgery and recovery, Knowles is now cancer-free.
During this difficult time, her daughters Beyoncé and Solange, along with close family and friends, rallied around her. Knowles recalled a touching moment before her surgery when Solange and niece Angie Beyincé sang the song “Walk With Me” to her in the hospital, bringing her comfort and faith. “It’s about God walking with you into something and protecting you,” she said, visibly emotional. “And I went in there feeling just like God has got me.”
Despite complications from a post-surgical infection that nearly kept her from attending Glamour’s 2024 Women of the Year event, Knowles insisted on being present. The award held deep significance, marking not just her contributions to fashion and culture but also her personal journey through illness and recovery.
“I almost didn’t go,” Knowles said, explaining that Beyoncé had urged her to prioritize her health. “‘Mama, you’re not yourself,’ she told me. ‘Your health is more important. Don’t go.’” Still, Knowles chose to attend, feeling it was finally time to be recognized for her achievements and resilience. “A lot of my life, I just refused to be recognized. But this was my saying, ‘I deserve this.’”
Reflecting on her journey, Knowles said her daughters’ unwavering support gave her the strength to push forward. “That’s why when I said, you know, with them, I could get through anything, nobody knew what I was talking about,” she said.
Tina Knowles’ story serves as a powerful reminder about the importance of regular health screenings and the healing power of love, family, and faith.
