In an exciting announcement, Oprah Winfrey has chosen "Matriarch," a deeply personal memoir by Tina Knowles, as her latest book club selection. This poignant memoir takes readers on a journey through Knowles' life, from her childhood in segregated Texas to her role as the mother of music icons Beyoncé and Solange.
During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Winfrey commended Knowles for her ability to craft a story that resonates on both personal and universal levels. "What you did is what I think is so hard to do when you're writing a memoir, and that is to tell your story intimately, personally, but also make it universal," Winfrey remarked. She expressed her belief that "everybody who has a mother, and everybody who is a mother is going to love this story."
Among the many revelations in "Matriarch," Knowles shares her previously undisclosed battle with cancer, a fact that surprised even Winfrey. Known as "bad ass Tenie B" in her childhood for her outspoken personality, Knowles expressed a mix of excitement and nerves about sharing her life story. "It's a wonderful day ... but I still have a little anxiety, because you're just putting it out into the world," she shared.
Knowles initially embarked on a much larger project, starting with an impressive 1,000 pages. Laughing about the editing process, she noted that her publisher insisted on significant cuts, explaining, "Nobody's gonna read a book that's 1,000 pages." She emphasized the challenge she faced in sharing her own stories without encroaching on the narratives of others, stating, "I tried really hard to tell the stories without telling other people's stories."
In her memoir, Knowles hopes to inspire readers through the stories of her struggles and triumphs. "I also hope that people will do their family trees and get into their legacy and their ancestors," she said. Knowles expressed her desire to leave a lasting legacy for future generations, sharing, "I didn't know my grandparents, so it's one of the reasons why I want to do this, to leave that for my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren, that I might not meet, and they'll have a story in my words, and not someone else interpreting a story."
The memoir also delves into Knowles' decades-long marriage to Mathew Knowles, the father of her famous daughters. She revealed that Beyoncé and Solange were not fully aware of their parents' tumultuous relationship until they were older. "There was a time that I separated, and they were devastated because they were very young, and they never knew why," Knowles explained. She highlighted the importance of shielding her children from adult issues, noting the complexities of parenting during difficult times.
Winfrey praised Knowles’ decision to send her daughters to therapy at a young age, recognizing it as a progressive choice that helped them appreciate each other's talents. "She knew early on that the girls' relationship with each other needed to be balanced and talked about in a way that she didn't feel capable of doing completely herself," Winfrey added.
As Knowles reflects on her journey, she describes motherhood as "the best, important job of your life." Despite her rebellious youth, she emphasized the need for intentionality in parenting, saying, "With my kids, I said I got to control myself. I have to be deliberate and intentional ... I just didn't want to screw that up, because I screw some stuff up."
"Matriarch" is now available for readers eager to explore Tina Knowles' remarkable life story. Additionally, Knowles will be embarking on a book tour to promote her memoir. For more insights, you can catch the conversation on The Oprah Podcast, available on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.
