Mathew Knowles, the father of music icons Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Born on January 9, 1952, in Gadsden, Alabama, Knowles played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of his daughters, particularly Beyoncé, whom he managed during her time in Destiny’s Child alongside Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland.

Knowles made the significant decision to leave his job when Beyoncé was just ten years old, dedicating himself to helping her achieve stardom. Under his management, Destiny’s Child soared to unparalleled heights of success, becoming one of the most influential girl groups in music history.

However, their professional relationship came to an end in 2011 amid rumored conflicts between father and daughter. Despite this, Knowles remains a respected figure in the industry, having contributed to projects like the 2009 film “Obsessed,” in which Beyoncé starred and he served as an executive producer.

In addition to his role as a music manager, Knowles is known for his personal life, including his relationships and family dynamics. He divorced Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, in 2011 after a 31-year marriage and later remarried to Gena Charmaine Avery in 2013. He is also the father of Nixon and Koi Knowles.

However, Knowles has also faced controversy regarding comments he made about his daughters’ skin color. In a February 2018 interview with Ebony magazine, Knowles suggested that Beyoncé’s lighter skin tone contributed to her popularity, insinuating that she may not have achieved the same level of success if she had darker skin.

During the interview, Knowles highlighted the prevalence of lighter-skinned black females in mainstream media and music, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, and Nicki Minaj. He implied that their lighter skin tones played a role in their success, a sentiment that drew criticism and sparked discussions about colorism within the entertainment industry.

Knowles also revealed personal experiences with colorism, recounting how he initially believed Beyoncé and Solange’s mother, Tina, was white when they first met. He attributed this to societal attitudes towards skin color during his upbringing in the deep South, where darker skin tones were often stigmatized.

Despite his contributions to his daughters’ careers, Knowles’ controversial remarks have led to strained relationships and scrutiny from the public. His comments shed light on the complex issue of colorism within the entertainment industry and broader society, prompting conversations about representation and discrimination based on skin color.