Tina Knowles, the mother of global music stars Beyoncé and Solange, has publicly shared her recent experience with breast cancer, revealing how a missed mammogram may have delayed its detection.
In an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, the 71-year-old businesswoman and philanthropist said she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in her left breast. The diagnosis came after doctors discovered two tumours during a mammogram appointment she had postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Knowles, who has long prioritised her health, expressed her shock at the diagnosis. "I've always tried to take care of myself. I just … was in disbelief," she told King.
According to the American Cancer Society, women aged 55 and older are advised to have a mammogram every one to two years. Knowles said that after delaying her routine screening, she finally attended an appointment last year. During that examination, doctors identified two tumours. One was benign, while the other was confirmed as cancerous and at Stage 1.
Doctors later informed her that had she kept up with her regular screenings, the cancer may have been detected at Stage 0, when the disease remains confined to the breast tissue and is generally easier to treat.
Fortunately, the cancer had not spread and was considered slow-growing. In August, Knowles underwent a lumpectomy – a surgical procedure to remove the tumour – and is now cancer-free.
Knowles described the support she received from her family, including Beyoncé, Solange, and other close friends, who accompanied her to the hospital ahead of her operation. She recalled feeling anxious before surgery, but said her daughters helped ease her nerves.
"They started joking with me," she said, recalling a moment when Solange played a humorous viral video about the word "demure" to lift her spirits. The atmosphere helped her to relax and focus on the positive.
In a particularly emotional moment before the operation, Solange and niece Angie Beyincé sang the gospel song Walk With Me to her. Knowles described the experience as deeply reassuring. "It’s about God walking with you into something and protecting you," she said. "And I went in there feeling just like God has got me."
Months after the surgery, Knowles developed a serious post-surgical infection, which nearly prevented her from attending the Glamour 2024 Women of the Year Awards in October. She revealed that Beyoncé urged her to prioritise her health instead of attending the event.
“Mama, you’re not yourself,” Knowles recalled Beyoncé saying. “Your health is more important. Don’t go.”
Despite her daughter’s concerns, Knowles felt compelled to attend the ceremony, viewing the honour as a milestone in her personal journey. She said the award held particular meaning after her battle with cancer.
“For a lot of my life, I just refused to be recognised,” she admitted. “I would never take an award. I would never want the attention to me… and this was my saying, ‘I deserve this.’”
At the event, Knowles gave a speech that reflected on the unwavering support she received from her daughters. “That’s why when I said, you know, with them, I could get through anything, nobody knew what I was talking about,” she said.
Now in recovery, Knowles is sharing her story to encourage other women to stay on top of their health and not delay vital screenings. Her experience is a timely reminder of the importance of early detection, and how family support and resilience can play a powerful role in overcoming illness.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.