Tina Knowles, the iconic mother of music superstars Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, recently opened up about a deeply personal moment before undergoing breast cancer surgery last year. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the 27th Annual Angel Ball in New York City on October 27, 2025, the 71-year-old fashion designer and author of Matriarch shared how her daughters lifted her spirits with an impromptu musical performance.

Knowles revealed that just before she was wheeled into surgery following a stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis, Beyoncé, 44, and Solange, 39, sang a gospel hymn called “Walk With Me” for her. “I absolutely love it,” Knowles told PEOPLE, noting that the performance gave her comfort and strength as she faced the operation.

Family Support Through a Health Journey

In her memoir Matriarch, released earlier this year, Knowles detailed how her family rallied around her after discovering the cancer in her left breast last July. She highlighted that her daughters were a source of both emotional support and humor. For instance, they had her laughing over a TikTok trend called the “demure” look, helping her feel lighter and more positive before the procedure.

“It so warms my heart,” Knowles said, reflecting on the moment, “I went in there laughing and feeling so blessed — like everything was going to be okay. And it was.”

Her granddaughter, Blue Ivy Carter, 13, daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, also attended the Angel Ball, dressed elegantly in a pink silk gown with a corset bodice, showing the tight-knit family support surrounding Knowles during this challenging time.

Tina Knowles on Early Detection and Awareness

The superstar mom emphasized the importance of regular mammograms, noting that she herself had missed her scheduled test due to COVID-19 disruptions. “You cannot play around with that,” she warned. Knowles said she initially struggled with whether to share her cancer journey publicly but ultimately decided it could offer valuable lessons for other women.

“It is a lot of lessons in it for other women,” she told PEOPLE. “Sometimes we get so busy and wrapped up in running around, but you must go get your test. Because if I had not gotten my test early, I shudder to think what could have happened.”

Daughters Become Her “Team”

In Matriarch, Knowles recounts how Beyoncé stayed positive and focused on tackling the situation, while Solange reassured her: “Mom, we are going to take care of this.” With extended family, including Kelly Rowland and niece Angie Beyince, by her side, Knowles described how her daughters essentially became her personal support team during her health battle.

Through these deeply personal revelations, Tina Knowles continues to inspire women worldwide by sharing her story of resilience, love, and the power of family support amid health challenges.