When Tina Knowles and Richard Lawson tied the knot on a sleek white yacht in 2015, it felt like the ultimate Hollywood "second act" success story. Here was a woman who had survived a very public, very painful betrayal in her first marriage, finally finding her "gift from God" in a man she’d known for four decades.
It was cinematic. It was hopeful.
Then, in July 2023, the headlines shifted.
Suddenly, the woman we all know as the matriarch of the Beyoncé empire was filing for divorce. No one saw it coming, but then again, in the world of high-profile celebrity unions, we only ever see what the Instagram feed allows. By 2024, the legal ink was dry, and by now in 2026, both have moved into entirely different chapters of their lives.
The Breakup Nobody Saw Coming
Honestly, the split was jarring because of how much they seemed to "get" each other. They weren't just a couple; they were a blended family powerhouse. You had Beyoncé and Solange on one side, and Richard’s daughter, the talented Bianca Lawson, on the other.
The legal filing cited "irreconcilable differences." Standard stuff, right? But fans started digging immediately.
People pointed to a viral interview where Tina jokingly (or maybe not so jokingly) corrected Richard on camera. Some called it "controlling." Others saw a powerful woman who just knew what she wanted.
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In her 2025 memoir Matriarch, Tina finally pulled back the curtain a bit. She didn't trash Richard. In fact, she praised his "great qualities." But she admitted that one morning in July 2023, she just woke up and realized she deserved "so much more."
She felt the pressure to be a poster child for "love after 60." That’s a heavy burden. Sometimes, trying to prove to the world that you're happy is the very thing that makes you miserable.
Inside the $300,000 Settlement
The divorce wasn't a "War of the Roses" situation, but it wasn't exactly a clean break either. Tina ended up paying Richard a one-time lump sum of $300,000.
That might sound like a lot of cash to us mere mortals, but in the Knowles-Lawson tax bracket, it’s basically a handshake. Neither party walked away with monthly spousal support.
The division of assets felt like a glimpse into their daily lives:
- Tina’s Haul: She kept the heavy hitters—a 2018 Tesla, a 2020 Bentley, and her Los Angeles and Texas homes. She also secured all rights to her creative works and that massive book deal with Penguin Random House.
- Richard’s Share: He drove off in a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. He kept his retirement accounts, his SAG-AFTRA pension, and the rights to Richard Lawson Studios.
The most interesting part? The "hush-hush" clause.
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They signed a strict non-disparagement agreement. They can’t talk smack about each other, their kids, or—most importantly—the grandchildren. If you’re looking for a tell-all interview where Richard spills tea on Blue Ivy or Rumi, don’t hold your breath. It’s legally fortified.
Life After the Split
Richard hasn't just been sitting around. He’s been busy as a series regular on Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, playing a character named Norman. At 78, the man is still working, still teaching at his "empowerment academy," and still leaning into the resilience that helped him survive a literal plane crash back in 1992.
He’s a survivor. Plain and simple.
Tina, on the other hand, is leaning into her "sexy" era. At 72, she’s out here telling People magazine that she feels more confident than ever.
And yes, there’s a new guy.
She hasn't dropped a name yet—calling him a "very nice gentleman" and a "friend"—but she’s clearly not letting two divorces sour her on the idea of companionship. She’s living proof that your life doesn’t end just because a marriage does.
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What We Can Learn From the Knowles-Lawson Era
It’s easy to look at celebrity breakups and get cynical. But the end of Tina Knowles and Richard Lawson isn't necessarily a tragedy. It’s a lesson in agency.
Too many people stay in "fine" marriages because they’re afraid of the optics or the loneliness. Tina chose herself. She recognized that the "second chance at love" narrative was becoming a cage.
If you're looking for the takeaway, it's this:
- Prioritize Peace Over Pride: Staying for the "story" is never worth your mental health.
- Protect the Family: Notice how both parties prioritized a non-disparagement clause to protect their kids and grandkids. That’s class.
- Keep Moving: Whether it's a new acting gig or a new "gentleman friend," the best way to handle a public split is to stay productive and stay open.
The yacht wedding was beautiful, but the growth that happened after the anchor was dropped might be even more impressive.
If you want to keep up with their solo journeys, keep an eye on Tyler Perry’s upcoming seasons for Richard’s work, or grab a copy of Matriarch to see Tina’s full perspective on rebuilding after 70.