Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter, born on September 4, 1981, is an American singer, songwriter, and businesswoman. Often referred to as "Queen Bey," she is regarded as one of the most influential cultural figures of the 21st century. Throughout her two-decade career, Beyoncé has captivated audiences with her distinctive vocal range and electrifying live performances. In 2022, Rolling Stone named her the world's greatest living entertainer, and in 2023, she was recognized as one of the greatest vocalists of all time.

Born at Park Plaza Hospital in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé is the daughter of Celestine "Tina" Knowles, a hairdresser and salon owner, and Mathew Knowles, a Xerox sales manager. Her heritage is rich and diverse, with roots in Louisiana Creole, African American, French, and Acadian ancestry. Beyoncé's younger sister, Solange Knowles, is also a singer and a former backup dancer for Destiny's Child, making them the first sisters to have both had number-one solo albums.

Beyoncé was raised in a Methodist household and attended St. John's United Methodist Church in Houston, where she sang her first solo. Her talent was evident early on; at age seven, she won a school talent show singing John Lennon's "Imagine." She continued to hone her craft at Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school in Houston, and later attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, followed by Alief Elsik High School.

Beyoncé's journey to stardom began in her childhood when she participated in various singing and dancing competitions. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. During the group’s hiatus, Beyoncé launched her solo career with her debut album, Dangerously in Love (2003), which set the stage for her continued success. She followed with several U.S. number-one albums, including B'Day (2006), I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008), and 4 (2011).

In 2008, Beyoncé founded Parkwood Entertainment, her own management and production company. Under this label, she released critically acclaimed visual albums like Beyoncé (2013) and Lemonade (2016), which explored themes of feminism and womanism. Her Renaissance (2022) and Cowboy Carter (2024) albums, part of a trilogy project, made her the only female artist to have her first eight solo studio albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200.

Some of Beyoncé's most successful songs on the Billboard Hot 100 include "Crazy in Love," "Baby Boy," "Irreplaceable," "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," "Drunk in Love," "Break My Soul," and "Cuff It." She is the only woman in history to achieve at least 20 top 10 songs as a solo artist and 10 as a member of a group. Her collaborative works include the album Everything Is Love (2018) with her husband, rapper Jay-Z, under the name The Carters, and the musical film Black Is King (2020), which was inspired by her work on the soundtrack for The Lion King: The Gift (2019).

Beyoncé has also left her mark on the film industry, starring in movies such as Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), Dreamgirls (2006), Cadillac Records (2008), and the live-action The Lion King (2019). Her self-directed concert films, including Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2019) and Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (2023), showcase some of her most acclaimed live performances.


In 2010, Beyoncé expanded her empire by founding Parkwood Entertainment, named after a street in Houston where she once lived. With headquarters in New York City, Parkwood oversees her ventures in music, film, fashion, and more. The company’s first production was the musical biopic Cadillac Records (2008), in which Beyoncé starred and co-produced. Parkwood has also signed other artists, including Chloe x Halle, who performed at the Super Bowl in 2019.

In February 2024, Beyoncé launched Cécred, a hair care product line tailored to different hair textures. To support the beauty industry, she established an annual grant through her BeyGood initiative, providing $500,000 in scholarships for cosmetology students and salon business grants in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Clementon.

Beyoncé and rapper Jay-Z began collaborating in 2002, sparking rumors of a romance. Their relationship was confirmed when they married privately on April 4, 2008. Known for their private nature, the couple became more open about their relationship over the years. Despite their success—selling a combined 300 million records—they faced challenges, particularly after Jay-Z's infidelity, which Beyoncé addressed in her album Lemonade.

In 2011, Beyoncé announced her first pregnancy during a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, making headlines worldwide. On January 7, 2012, she gave birth to their daughter, Blue Ivy. In 2017, Beyoncé revealed she was expecting twins, breaking the record for the most-liked image on Instagram. The twins, Rumi and Sir, were born on June 13, 2017. Beyoncé later discussed her pregnancy and motherhood journey in the September 2018 issue of Vogue, where she had full creative control of the cover shoot.

Beyoncé’s influence extends beyond her music and business ventures, as she continues to be a powerful voice in cultural and social movements. Her legacy as an artist, mother, and entrepreneur cements her status as one of the most iconic figures of our time.