Tina Knowles opens up on support she has been given by daughters Beyonce and Solange
Tina Knowles has praised singer daughters Beyonce's and Solange for being her “rock” as they supported her through her breast cancer diagnosis.
Last year, the 71-year-old had surgery to remove a tumour after being diagnosed with stage one cancer and she also underwent a breast reduction.
Appearing on ITV’s Loose Women on Thursday, she told the panel that although she felt the need to protect her famous offspring from her health concerns, they were “the first people I told”.
"They were the only ones I told for a while and they rallied around me."
Becoming emotional, Knowles continued: "They always had at those very difficult times.
"When I went through divorce, I was devastated, and my girls were right there to lift me up, and told me that I could do things, and made me laugh because at those times you need laughter too, they are my rock really."
Knowles - who recently released her memoir Matriach - also spoke about the importance that female friendships have played in her life.
She explained: "Friendships with women is of the utmost importance to me to stay connected. When I went through that [breast cancer] I didn't even have to tell them what was going on.
"I just went to Houston, gathered my girlfriends and went to church, and we went out partying at a club and dancing, and I just told them I don't want to talk about what's going on right now, and they were all right there for me."
Elsewhere in the interview, Knowles admitted she feels anxious seeing her grandchildren step into the spotlight as they follow in the footsteps of Beyonce and her rapper husband Jay-Z.
She said: "It's always an element of fear about fame because you are literally opening yourself up to the public and you know it's scary.
"It was very scary for me with Solange, I got to experience a lot of things with Beyonce because she was five years older.
“But with my grandchildren you have to let them do what they want to do in this life, you have to support them. Is it my first choice for them? Nah, it's not. But what can I do?"
