Tina Knowles is opening up about her divorce from ex-husband Richard Lawson.
In her new memoir Matriarch, released last month, the 71-year-old superstar mom and author wrote about the moment she decided to file for divorce at age 69 in July 2023 and why ending the relationship was personally important.
In the book, Tina recalled one day in July 2023 when she “woke up” and knew her marriage “needed to end.” She recognized Richard’s “great qualities” from throughout their 10 years together but no longer felt the relationship was positive for them.
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Richard Lawson and Tina Knowles in February 2023
While she’d spoken to him “for some time” about the feelings, she didn’t feel it was working and came to the realization that she “deserved so much more.”
Tina “wanted to be happy” and thought she “would never feel whole, cherished, loved and respected” in the relationship, according to the book. She also felt pressured to show others they could “find a second chance at love” but ultimately knew she needed to choose herself.
So, she filed for divorce. “I made the decision to divorce with a heavy heart but totally without malice, and I have not lost a night of sleep over it,” wrote Tina, noting that it was quite a shift from feeling as though she “was going to die” after her first marriage to Mathew Knowles ended in 2011.
The mother of Beyoncé and Solange wrote that she “thrived” in the wake of the divorce, as she was able to shift her focus to “the things that bring me joy and security” in life aside from romance. She developed more self-confidence and ultimately knew she “would lead a fulfilled life” on her own.
After filing for divorce, Tina saw some negative online chatter directed toward her, much of which was “posted by women” and led her to think about times she’s perhaps succumbed to internalized sexism herself.
The same month as Tina’s filing, Jay-Z’s mother Gloria Carter and Roxanne Wiltshire got married in New York City. At the wedding, Tina wrote, fellow guest Tyler Perry expressed feeling “disappointed” about the relationship’s end but complimented her decision to choose her own “happiness.”
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Tina Knowles ‘Matriarch’ cover artwork
Tina recalled Perry citing some of his own female friends’ experiences staying in marriages too long and urged that she’ll set a positive example for others in similar situations.
Around the release of Matriarch, Tina confirmed to PEOPLE that she’s seeing someone new.
“I am spending time with a friend,” she said, adding that he’s a “very nice gentleman. We’ll see what happens.”
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