Matriarch Audiobook By Tina Knowles cover art

Matriarch

A Memoir

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Matriarch

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

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • A revealing personal life story like no other—enlightening, entertaining, surprising, empowering—and a testament to the world-making power of Black motherhood

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

“You are Celestine,” she said. She squatted to push the hair off my face and pull leaves off my pajama legs. “Like my sister and my grandmother.” And there, under the pecan tree, as she did countless times, that day my mother told me stories of the mothers and daughters that went before me.

Tina Knowles, the mother of iconic singer-songwriters Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Solange Knowles, and bonus daughter Kelly Rowland, is known the world over as a Matriarch with a capital M: a determined, self-possessed, self-aware, and wise woman who raised and inspired some of the great artists of our time. But this story is about so much more than that.

Matriarch begins with a precocious, if unruly, little girl growing up in 1950s Galveston, the youngest of seven. She is in love with her world, with extended family on every other porch and the sounds of Motown and the lapping beach always within earshot. But as the realities of race and the limitations of girlhood set in, she begins to dream of a more grandiose world. Her instincts and impulsive nature drive her far beyond the shores of Texas to discover the life awaiting her on the other side of childhood.

That life’s journey—through grief and tragedy, creative and romantic risks and turmoil, the nurturing of superstar offspring and of her own special gifts—is the remarkable story she shares with listeners here. This is a binge-worthy chronicle of family love and heartbreak, of loss and perseverance, and of the kind of creativity, audacity, and will it takes for a girl from Galveston to change the world. It’s 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 one another, mothers to daughters, across generations.

©2025 Tina Knowles (P)2025 Random House Audio
Motherhood Parenting & Families Relationships Heartfelt Inspiring

Critic reviews

“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

Authentic Storytelling • Vivid Descriptions • Intimate Narrative • Compelling Journey • Emotional Depth • Soothing Voice
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What a story teller Ms. Tina!!! I was captured in her family history story telling. And now, I wish I could have had something like this from my family! I am a female who has brown skin color , and this book has hypnotized me with girl power! I see Ms. Tina in a whole new amazing way ! My respects to her and her family, they made lemons into lemonade.🙇🏻‍♀️

Capturing and authentic and empowering!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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This book is wonderful. Ms. Tina gives us so much more than a look at her life—she provides a rich tapestry of Black History, American History, unknown pop culture gems, sprinkled with affirmations and wisdom. The narrative is a warm embrace—truly motherly. “Matriarch” is the perfect title.

More than a memoir

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What a beautifully told celebration of family, life, triumph, and motherhood! Not since reading Cicely Tyson’s memoir have I been so captivated, moved, and inspired by the intimate sharing of one’s life. This is an excellent book!

Poignant!

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While listening to to this I truly loved it. Every chapter was rich with history. I smiled, laughed and got teary eyed. This is now my go to audio.

Miss Tina is truly one phenomenal woman I so adore!!

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What a beautiful and compelling walk through an amazing life. She should be so proud of this work and I hope her grandkids get to read it one day and learn about her life.

Amazing!

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I love this book it feels honest! Thank you for digging deep and telling your story.

A feel Good Book!

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I have no words. This was such an excellent piece of work by mama Tina. I literally felt like I was there with her as she was telling her stories and reliving her childhood. THIS IS A MUST READ!!!

Whew Baby!

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Mama Tina story is one of beauty, boldness, and vision. I am so grateful she shared it with us!

A beautiful story of girlhood, motherhood, and womanhood.

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I learned. I continue to digest. I am so happy to witness the life of…. “The blackest black woman he would ever meet.”
Thank you

Every inch good

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It was great to hear the story and how it has shaped who she is today. Great listen.

The Vulnerability

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