Acclaimed personality Oprah Winfrey has chosen “Matriarch,” the memoir of Tina Knowles, as her newest book club selection. This poignant memoir chronicles Knowles’ life, from her experiences growing up in segregated Texas to her journey as the mother of music icons Beyoncé and Solange.

Intimate yet Universal Stories

During a recent appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Winfrey commended Knowles for her ability to convey a personal narrative that resonates on a universal level. “What you did is what I think is so hard to do when you’re writing a memoir,” Winfrey told Knowles. “I believe everybody who has a mother, and everybody who is a mother is going to love this story,” she added.

Revelations and Personal Challenges

The memoir includes surprising revelations, such as Knowles’ undisclosed battle with cancer, which even took Winfrey by surprise. “It’s a wonderful day … but I still have a little anxiety, because you’re just putting it out into the world,” Knowles shared, expressing a mix of excitement and nervousness.

A Journey from Lengthy Manuscript to Memoir

Initially conceptualized as a comprehensive 1,000-page manuscript, Knowles noted that her publisher encouraged her to trim it down. “Nobody’s gonna read a book that’s 1,000 pages,” she laughed. This process prompted her to focus on storytelling while being mindful of the privacy of others. “I tried really hard to tell the stories without telling other people’s stories,” she explained.

Inspiration and Legacy

Through her memoir, Knowles hopes to inspire readers to explore their family histories. “I also hope that people will do their family trees and get into their legacy and their ancestors,” she said. With a desire to leave a lasting legacy for future generations, Knowles expressed, “I didn’t know my grandparents, so it’s one of the reasons why I want to do this, is to leave that for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

Insights into Motherhood and Family

The book also reflects on Knowles’ marriage to Mathew Knowles, detailing their complex relationship and its impact on their daughters. She mentioned that during a separation, her children were unaware of the full circumstances. “There was a time that I separated, and they were devastated because they were very young,” she shared, emphasizing the need to protect children from adult issues.

Winfrey highlighted Knowles’ proactive approach to parenting, noting that she ensured both daughters received therapy to foster their appreciation for each other’s talents—a forward-thinking decision at the time.

Personal Reflections and Inspirations

Knowles also explores her childhood, sharing experiences of racial discrimination and revealing that her maiden name was Beyoncé, which inspired her daughter’s name. Additionally, she recounts the anecdote of how she named Destiny’s Child, drawing inspiration from a passage in her Bible.

Reflecting on her role as a mother, Knowles remarked, “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.”