Tina Knowles Opens Up About Divorce from Richard Lawson: ‘It Was Easy’

Tina Knowles has filed for divorce from Richard Lawson after eight years of marriage. In a candid book event, she revealed that the decision came easily compared to her first marriage. Unlike before, she prioritised her happiness in choosing to leave, stressing the value of self-worth and companionship. Her memoir ‘Matriarch’ details her journey and evolution as a woman.
Tina Knowles has surprised many by filing for divorce from her second husband, Richard Lawson, after eight years filled with enough red carpet appearances to stock a small gallery. But it turns out that for the mother of Beyoncé, this divorce wasn’t quite as heart-wrenching as it might seem—she’s labelled the decision as surprisingly smooth, thank you very much.
At a London book event held at the Southbank Centre, attended by HELLO!, Tina opened up about the end of her marriage. “[Richard] is not a bad guy, we just weren’t right for each other,” she revealed candidly. The seasoned divorcee also noted, “After the first marriage, it was easier to leave the second time… I knew I deserved to be happy.”
Clearly, Tina got the hang of marriage exits after her first go-round with Mathew Knowles. The pop music power couple share two daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, but Tina recognized that she didn’t have the same stakes with Richard. “I knew I deserved to be happy,” she repeated, hammering that truth home. It seems she learned a thing or two the first time.
Tina, currently promoting her bestselling memoir, “Matriarch,” filed the divorce papers in July 2023 when she was 69. In her book, she shares how the realisation struck her: one day she just woke up and knew it was time to go. “I just grew up at 69 and realised I deserved so much more,” she said, leaning into empowerment.
She didn’t mince words about the importance of prioritising oneself in a relationship: “If I stayed in this relationship, I would never feel whole, loved, cherished, and respected.” There you have it folks—if you don’t feel like a king or queen at home, it might be time to re-evaluate.
The divorce papers cited irreconcilable differences, and believe it or not, Tina hardly broke a sweat over this major life decision. “I made the decision to divorce with a heavy heart but totally without malice,” she reflected. It certainly seems that this time she’s got a handle on what it means to walk away.
Looking back at her first hitched experience shows us just how much a person can mature. Tina compared it to her split from Mathew, calling that one a “devastating” experience that felt like she “was going to die.” Fast forward to now, she’s thriving and open to the idea of companionship—maybe even a new marriage—should the right person come along.
Tina Knowles’s decision to divorce Richard Lawson was largely guided by her newfound sense of self-worth after her first marriage. At 69, she feels empowered to seek happiness on her terms, showing that love should never compromise one’s well-being. With her memoir, she sheds light on her journey—a journey of growth, self-realisation, and the importance of being a priority in a relationship. No regrets, just lessons learned—and plenty of room for future happiness.
Original Source: www.hellomagazine.com