In a candid interview with Page Six published on January 11, 2026, Mathew Knowles emphasized that Beyoncé's motivation has always centered on artistic excellence, fan connection, and personal fulfillment rather than monetary gain. “I’ve never heard Beyoncé ever talk about money,” he said. “It’s always been, ‘How can I make my fans happy? How can I be the best at what I’m doing?’” He added, “Her money came with the success, but that has never been a goal of hers. And I love that about her.”
Knowles, who managed Beyoncé from her early days with Destiny's Child until 2011, congratulated her on the achievement but stressed that billionaire status does not define who she is. “That’s just not Beyoncé. That’s not who she is,” he remarked, highlighting her consistent focus on craft, audience impact, and community giving.
Forbes attributed Beyoncé's entry into the billionaire club primarily to her bold pivot to country music with the 2024 album Cowboy Carter, which won Album of the Year at the Grammys and generated massive commercial opportunities. The subsequent Cowboy Carter Tour in 2025 became the world's highest-grossing concert tour of the year, earning over $400 million in ticket sales across 32 stadium shows and an additional $50 million in merchandise, according to Pollstar and Forbes estimates. Because Beyoncé's company Parkwood Entertainment produced the tour in-house, she secured higher profit margins than typical artist deals.
Combined with earnings from her music catalog, sponsorships (including Netflix and Levi’s), and a Christmas NFL halftime performance, Forbes calculated that Beyoncé earned approximately $148 million pre-tax in 2025 alone, ranking her as the third-highest-paid musician globally for the year. This pushed her net worth from an estimated $800 million in prior years to $1 billion, joining an exclusive group of musicians: her husband Jay-Z (estimated at $2.5 billion), Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Bruce Springsteen.
The achievement caps a remarkable decade of reinvention for Beyoncé, who has consistently broken barriers in music, business, and culture. Her 2023 Renaissance World Tour had already grossed nearly $600 million, setting the stage for continued dominance. Business ventures like the premium whisky brand SirDavis (launched in partnership with Moët Hennessy) and the haircare line Cécred have further diversified her portfolio, contributing to sustainable wealth growth beyond touring and music sales.
Despite the financial milestone, Knowles reiterated that Beyoncé's core values remain unchanged. He described her as someone who prioritizes excellence in her craft, joy for her fans, and giving back to the community—qualities he said have defined her since childhood. This perspective echoes Knowles' long-standing role as a mentor and strategist who helped shape Beyoncé's trajectory from a young performer in Destiny's Child to a global icon.
Meanwhile, Mathew Knowles himself remains active in the entertainment space. On his birthday in early January 2026, he launched Destiny’s Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute, a live performance series honoring the legendary girl group he founded and managed. The 60-minute show features a quintet of musicians and violinists reinterpreting classics such as "Bootylicious," "Survivor," and "Independent Women," with Knowles sharing personal stories and insights throughout. The tribute debuted to rave reviews in Houston and has since expanded, with plans for a global tour and additional concepts celebrating other major urban artists in partnership with the live events company Fever.
Performances have included special guest appearances by Knowles, who narrates and reflects on the group's legacy. Venues like Sony Hall in New York and various cities have hosted sold-out shows, with audiences praising the candlelit ambiance and fresh musical arrangements.
As Beyoncé continues to dominate charts, tours, and cultural conversations, her father's comments serve as a reminder of the values that underpin her enduring success. While the world celebrates her billionaire status, Knowles highlights a deeper truth: for Beyoncé, the pursuit of excellence and meaningful connection has always come first—wealth has simply followed.
This milestone not only cements Beyoncé's place among the most successful entertainers in history but also underscores the power of vision, hard work, and authenticity in building a lasting legacy.
