Beyoncé and Solange Bring Comfort Before Surgery
Tina Knowles shared a touching story about how her daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, helped her face one of the hardest moments in her life. Before undergoing surgery for Stage 1 breast cancer, her daughters sang to her, bringing calm and faith when fear tried to take over.
“Right before I was wheeled in to get the surgery, my girls sang a gospel song. ‘Walk With Me,’ which I absolutely love,” Knowles told People during the 27th Annual Angel Ball in New York City on October 28.
She said the song filled her with peace as she prepared for the operation. The moment reminded her of how deeply faith and family guide her through life.
A Night of Honor and Healing
Knowles attended the Angel Ball as one of the honorees that evening. The event, held by Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, raises money and awareness for cancer prevention and treatment.
After the emotional moment of singing, Beyoncé and Solange continued to lift their mother’s spirits in a lighthearted way. They began showing her funny TikTok videos, including one about being “demure.”
“There was this woman who was saying, ‘You have to be demure,’ and they just kept showing me that video,” Knowles said with a smile. “I went in there laughing and feeling so blessed — like everything was going to be OK. And it was. It so warms my heart.”
Sharing Her Journey to Inspire Other Women
Earlier this year, Knowles opened up about her diagnosis in her memoir, Matriarch, released in April 2025. She revealed that sharing her story was not easy because of how private she is. Yet, she felt it was necessary to help other women, especially Black women, prioritize their health.
“I struggled with whether I would share that journey because I’m very private,” she said. “But I decided to share it because I think it’s a lot of lessons in it for other women.”
Knowles uses her platform to urge women to get tested regularly. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer and are often diagnosed with more aggressive forms.
“You cannot play around with that,” she warned. “As women, sometimes we get so busy and forget. But you must go get your test. If I hadn’t, I shudder to think what could have happened to me.”
Living With Purpose and Gratitude
Now cancer-free, Knowles has shifted her focus to living a healthier life and enjoying every moment with her family. Her story continues to inspire others to face fear with faith and love.
“I want to give people hope,” Knowles said at the event. “What scares me now is not making the best of every day that I have left in this life.”
Her daughters’ song, laughter, and love reminded her — and the world — that strength often comes from connection, compassion, and the courage to keep walking in faith.
