Tina Knowles has been tapped by TIME magazine to take part in a feature which sees the mothers of famous names pen open letters to their children.
Known to most as mom to songbird’s Beyonce and Solange, newly re-married Ms. Tina makes in known in her touching submission that she counts Kelly Rowland and niece Angie Beyince as her daughters too.
Read her entry below. Be warned, it’s a bit of a tearjerker. Tissues at the ready?
To Beyoncé, Solange, Kelly and Angie
When I was asked to write an open letter to you, I thought about the hundreds of texts and emails that I have sent to you on holidays and on Sundays, when I ask you to say a prayer to thank God for each other. Every day, I wake up thinking about how much I love, admire and cherish each of you.
I gave birth to two of you, but I have four incredible daughters. Writing this brought to mind all the ways you guys have been such a blessing to me.
When I’m feeling sad or not-so-cute or maybe a little sorry for myself, and you all include me in your group chat and tell me how hot I still look or how cool I am. Maybe you send me a crazy YouTube video. What actually works best is a cute photo of my grandchildren.
I remember slumber parties after my divorce, when we watched old movies and ate a lot of ice cream. I felt so loved and supported. The roles were reversed, and it was ME who needed nurturing.
I remember my first date when every one of you weighed in on what I should wear.
The obvious things about all of you are apparent. You are all strong, beautiful, intelligent and smart businesswomen. You are so much more than that. You are all kind, generous and you treat people well. You are all amazing mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and friends. All of you have total self-respect.
Beyoncé, I wish people could see how you are when you’re not in front of the camera or on the stage. How compassionate and kind you are to people, how you look them right in the eye when you speak to them. How hard you work, how generous you are with your time and money. How you don’t care if anyone knows about it because you do it from the heart. I wish they could see you with the Make-A-Wish Foundation kids, how patient you are and how your love has helped to extend lives. Yes, you are a huge star, but you have somehow managed to stay grounded and humble in the wake of all your success.
Solange, I knew when you were born three days late that you would walk to the beat of your own drum. You were always my rebel warrior! Always defending the underdog and fighting for what you believe in. I remember you, at 10 years old, started a petition to remove a bad teacher, and your dad and I were so proud of you. I love that you do not let others define who you are, or what you are. Whether in your music, fashion or your life, you truly are your own incredible, unapologetic person! As tough as you are, you will drop everything to take care of someone you love.
Kelly, I know without a doubt that you were a true gift from God. You came to live with us when you were only 11 years old. You were the sweetest, most kind person I had ever met and you still are. You are also a true survivor. You never give up. Your discipline and drive always inspires me. You make me want to take better care of my body and constantly motivate me to exercise and take time for myself. You have the best listening skills and are a loyal friend to many. I’ve seen you take the jewelry off of your arm and give it to someone because you wanted to make them feel good.
Angie, you are my niece, but we have always been more like mother and daughter! You were always so mature, always challenging me and questioning why. (Fortunately I never believed in the “Because I said so” or “I’m the adult” crap, either.) I always trusted that you would look out for and protect Solange, Kelly and Beyoncé, and you did! You still do sometimes. You are so smart and perceptive, and you see through bullshit right away! You’ve always had our backs. Our own family fixer!! You know I call you Olivia Pope!!!!!
I’m often asked, what was my most proud moment? I would have to say it was at my recent wedding, when all four of you said in your own words that I taught by example and that I helped to make you the women you are today!!!! That was truly my proudest moment!
All my love,
Mom
Beautifully written.
Sooo sweet! Beyonce is a class act. Rihanna could never with her “husky man voice” as her mom said.
Beyonce a class act? Her appearance at the Met Gala says otherwise…
What does it say other than slaying Riri?
@MonicaStAn B**** I’m with U when u right! Slay that U classy fav of these little middle school grown ass don’t know any better ass kids! Bey SLAYED everyone at the MetGala. “DONT BELIEVE ME.. LOOK IT UP ON EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM”! In BEYONCES voice ! Ask UR FAVORITE CELEB ! CHECK THERE SOCIAL MEDIA HUNNI BEY SLAYYED
Stfu with calling rih name she should pen a letter to her grown daughter to stop dressing slutty on the red carpet so go f*** you self u dry p**** b**** don’t come for rih u nasty maggot b****
You mad or nah m***** ?
How you gon C+P the same drag to 2 different people on the same post. SMH this zoo animal couldn’t even take the time to rearrange the sentence. Take that bullsh*t elsewhere!
This is so beautifully written! Black women growing strong with one another is the true art in life! Thank miss Tina for birthing such a master price and class act YONCE lol
oh
Very nice
Even the navy can’t hate on this.
That’s sweet. I like her.
#poormitchelle
2 out of the first five comments are about Rihanna. What does that tell you about her power and beyonce fans’ obsession/insecurity…
OMGOD! This made me cry. Dang, this reminds me of my precious Granny. She loved me to pieces. Beyonce, Kelly, Solo & Angie has a great Mother. Many folks aren’t blessed with family that actually cares about them. *Grabs Some Tissue*
Awwe I cried when I heard Mariah’s Vegas vocals 🙁
Honey, I cried when I heard about the DEATH of Monica’s career back in 2004 too.
ClaassStfu with calling rih name she should pen a letter to her grown daughter to stop dressing slutty on the red carpet so go f*** you self u dry p**** b**** don’t come for rih u nasty maggot b****
Girl, whatchu talking about?
Monica is still very much relevant and has a gold certified album just 5 years ago. Mariah can’t even sing anymore babe so keep it cute.
Girl, you dragging yo damn self. Clinging on to a FLOP “gold” album from 5 YEARS ago. Fact still remains, Mariah’s lip syncing disasters are more Iconic than ANYTHING Monica’s EVER done in her ghetto flop career. BYE
Awwwuh Tina did an amazing job raising strong independent women! Beyoncé remains humble. She could gloat around about how she spent 7 million on Houston Housing Project alone but she doesnt put her charity work out there for press…she does it from the heart. Solange Kelly and Angie all our beautiful women and they stick together! Gotta love them Knowles girls!
truly lovely. love how shes done this and shared her perception.
I could hear Beyonces soft voice talking through the part about her.
Lovely lovely family letter. Love Solange for being exactly that person she is.
This is sooo beautiful….
Shoutout to Angie being the Olivia Pope of the family 🙂 Yas Ma’am
Bonus letter to Rihanna.
Rihanna, I first met you in 2005 when you were still applying for your working visa so you could get your stay in this country.
How times have changed! You’ve gone from using green cards to get in the country to using credit cards to get cocaine in your wide nostrils. Who would have guessed that the small innocent girl from Jamaica would turn into a world renown dancehall mattress? I’ll never forget the time you tried to auction your dresses at my You’ve Got To Be Creole To Be Kind charity affair and raised 0 dollars because they had more stains on them than a fat woman’s panties after happy hour at Chipotle.
Anyway, I just want to say how proud I am of you for using my daughter’s career to make something of yourself and I hope you are lucky enough to find a husband who loves you just as much as you love vagisil.
All my love, Mama Tina.
DEATHHHHH
A FAT WOMAN’S PANTIES AFTER HAPPY HOUR AT CHIPOTLE!!!!!!!! OMG! I can’t LOL 🙁
Actually Rihanna is from Barbados where I’m also from.
We know fool
Omg !!! ???????????????????? I’m in tears !
PLEASE GAWD!! LET THIS NOT TURN INTO ANOTHER BEYONCE V RIHANNA THING. That was a nice letter and i’m happy that someone older has found love and happiness. 🙂
Oh wow, that was very moving! I believe every single word of it. I know many people want Bey to be a b***h so bad, but I can tell she’s a beautiful person inside. I’m sure B saves all the bravado for the stage, but I appreciate that she’s always humble and respectful away from it. I love that whole combination, B reminds me of no other star! I’m glad Bey have a sister like Solange. This girl really does speaks her mind and it’s often so true! It’s nice to see her supporting her sis the way she does, I don’t see an ounce of jealousy in Solo! Kelly also seems like that sweet girl momma Tina described! I just believe it! I don’t think she’s seeing these women through mom eyes! That was just a very special letter!
Royalkev thanks well said
Why is she not talking about Kelly’s charity work? Nice letter, but it still shows favouritism on Beyoncé. It is just clear. Kelly does a lot. O. Charity work and sponsors too
awww
Gag me, who gives a f***.
Tbh if murder Inc hadn’t folded Ashanti would STILL be Queen Bey’s Competition?!
Nope… She would have been competition, in the same way that Rita Ora is apparently competition to RIHANNA! The only person who could have possibly matched Beyonce is Aaliyah,that’s if her Vocals were gonna improve at a rate at which Bey’s did. I just feel like, Beyonce has only gotten better on stage and in her branding over time. Ashanti, stage? Not so much. There is just more to Beyonce.
Wow that was amazing,Tina is so cute, I really saw Bey and Kelly as more than just huge stars, but of actual people, like someone’s daughter or niece etc. Awww
I feel so bad.
.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyiawfctom1qhtjfto4_r1_500.gif
Fake. Tina hates Beyoncé. The beyince family don’t like Beyoncé.
Sam thanks for posting it took meone hours to post after I read this amazing letter I was crying but is happy cry this is why I love this family their is no one like them they are good hearted people may God continue to bless protect them for life long happy life ever lasting long married more success in all they do
This is so special and sweet. This is why I love her and her family, it reminds me of mines. As my dad would always say, son the sky is the limit. You can do whatever you put your mind to. Yes I can. God bless
this was touching I read this like 7 times already I love it!
I can’t wait till Beyoncé writes one for baby Blue. “Baby Blue, when Demi Lovato had you for me, I was so proud I got to stay snatched.. “
s-h-I-t-n-e-y cant write a open letter to her children of the corn looking kids because she’s brain dead instead of her teaching them their alphabets they teach her the alphabets
I can’t believe this hater fool made me LOL I’m dying
It’s just special! You can tell she genuinely loves them.
This is so beautiful. Love their family unit.
Where’s michelle tho?
God bless their family
Yo that Rihanna letter and that Britney comment had me crying
Nice of her mrs.lawson
When she wrote about Beyoncé, she manly focused on how she was a great person because of charity