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Matriarch

A Memoir

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Matriarch

Written by: Tina Knowles
Narrated by: Tina Knowles, Beyoncé, Solange, Kelly Rowland, Angie Beyincé
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About this listen

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A glorious chronicle of a life like none other—enlightening, entertaining, surprising, empowering—and a testament to the world-changing power of Black motherhood

“A beautiful and brave story of strong women, fierce mothering, and the power of continued evolution.”—Michelle Obama


“A fascinating memoir of Tina Knowles’s journey to become the global figure she is today.”—Oprah Winfrey

“Told in rich color with flourishes so detailed . . . they conjure a fully realized world the reader can inhabit.”—The Washington Post

Here is a page-turning chronicle of family love and heartbreak, loss and perseverance, and the kind of creativity, audacity, and will it takes for a girl from Galveston to change the world. Matriarch is 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 each other, mothers to daughters, across generations.
Best of 2025 Motherhood Parenting & Families Relationships Heartfelt

What the critics say

“A fascinating memoir of Tina Knowles’s journey to become the global figure she is today. We learn how the strength and wisdom of the women who came before her fueled Tina’s passion to achieve and gave her the ability to nurture her own daughters into the incredible women they are today.”—Oprah Winfrey

“Both her great-grandmother and grandmother fought to keep their children from being sold away or otherwise separated in slavery. How remains a mystery. Matriarchs, Knowles writes, ‘are filled with the most enduring and ferocious love.’”The New York Times

“As a fan of the Knowles family music empire, I was not expecting to uncover information I did not already know, but [Tina] Knowles proved wrong. She delves deeper into her own backstory than ever before.”—The Washington Post

“A great story of a singular American life.”—Kirkus Reviews
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Most Relevant
is was an exceptional book. I laughed, I cried, and I truly connected with the emotions throughout. The writing is rich with feeling, and I loved how much heart went into it. It felt like a rare glimpse into a deeply private family—just enough to witness the inner workings and dynamics. I can’t get over it. A powerful read—highly recommend.

Bad Ass Tiny B...

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This memoir was a true pleasure to listen to and hear the stories of the Beyonce lineage, from pecan to the beaches of Malibu. Thank you for this book, Miss Tina!!

thank you!

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Nothing I truly enjoyed it! it was SAS to hear she went through so much with her husband.

The creative and motherly side of her we never knew

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So many insights, stories, lessons & emotions were poured into this. What powerful and memorable story of the matriarch who birthed two beautiful artists.

Absolutely Beautiful

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This book was wonderful, and when she talks about certain parts of our family and you can hear her choke up about her mother oh and her father this book was outstanding so if you haven’t read it, go read it. Because I know I am not about to go into grade details about the book. The one thing is when people ask me is go get the book because I can just tell you it is wonderful, and it’s just no words. I finished it in less than a day and a half on Audible because I was doing work around my home walking my exercising walk, out shopping, out doing errands and I finished this book and I would not go to bed until it was done when I got home late with only one hour and 47 minutes I had to go and it was about 8 o’clock

Outstanding history lesson

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