Beyoncé’s Mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Seeks Divorce from Actor Husband Richard Lawson
Tina Knowles-Lawson, the mother of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband, actor Richard Lawson, after eight years of marriage. The couple, who had known each other for over 30 years, tied the knot in 2015, both having been previously married. In the legal documents obtained by TMZ, Tina, 69, cites “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their separation, which she lists as occurring on Tuesday, July 25th. In the filing, the fashion designer has requested the court to terminate their ability to award spousal support to either party and wants her name changed back to Celestine Knowles from Celestine Lawson.
Before marrying Richard Lawson, Tina was married to Mathew Knowles in 1980, and together, they had daughters Beyoncé and Solange. In the 1990s, Mathew became the manager of the vocal group Destiny’s Child, featuring Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. Tina and Mathew split in 2011, after Tina filed for divorce in 2009 but dropped the matter in 2010 before re-filing the following year, citing “discord or conflict of personalities” that hindered any chance of reconciliation.
Recently, Tina shared a past experience where she faced criticism from a white woman who questioned her decision to allow her daughter to marry Jay-Z, referring to him as a “gangster rapper.” Tina defended her son-in-law, stating that he is a CEO and a talented celebrity who is a great businessman. She discussed how the media often portrays Black men in a negative light, perpetuating stereotypes that they are dangerous and uneducated, which she found disheartening.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who married in 2008, share three children: Blue Ivy, 11, and twins Sir and Rumi, six. As the divorce proceedings unfold, Tina Knowles-Lawson’s representatives have yet to comment on the matter.