Tina Knowles Speaks On What Led To Divorce From Richard Lawson: ‘This Marriage Was Bringing Out The Worst In Me’

Richard Lawson, Tina Knowles

Tina Knowles Speaks On What Led To Divorce From Richard Lawson: ‘This Marriage Was Bringing Out The Worst In Me’

Tina Knowles is opening up about her marriage, and eventual divorce, from actor Richard Lawson.

During a recent interview with Oprah, Tina, 71, reflected on an excerpt from her newly released memoir Matriarch, where she recalls how supportive her friend Tyler Perry was when she made the difficult decision to leave her marriage to Lawson, 78.

Tina and Richard, who had been longtime friends, tied the knot in 2015 and divorced after 8 years of marriage in 2023.

 

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Sharing what she told Perry during that time, Tina said the filmmaker was saddened by the breakup, but ultimately offered his full support. She explained:

“I told [Tyler] what happened, and he loves Richard also. He said, ‘I’m very sad to hear that,’ but you know, this marriage isn’t bringing out the best in me.”

She continued:

“I have finally found my worth, and I know that I deserve to be happy. I know I deserve for somebody to be happy when they see me and to celebrate me. And it’s not doing it for me. It’s bringing out the worst in me, and it’s gotta stop.”

Tina went on to share that Perry, with tears in his eyes, showed unwavering support for her decision to prioritize herself. He also praised her for setting a powerful example not only for her daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, but also for her grandson Julez, so he can learn how to value and respect women.

Do you identify with Tina Knowles’ reasons for leaving her marriage?