Tina Knowles may be one of Glamour‘s women of the year in 2024, but she’s been Beyoncé‘s woman of the year since 1981.
The superstar was in the house Tuesday night (Oct. 8) to watch as the publication honored her mom at its Woman of the Year event in New York City, a ceremony also attended by Billie Eilish, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland, Demi Lovato and more stars. At one point, Knowles stood up in front of the gathering and made an emotional speech about motherhood, getting choked up as Bey wiped away tears in the audience.
“My daughters have brought me such incredible joy in my life, far more than anything else,” the businesswoman said, getting choked up. “They’ve been right there by my side at the lowest points of my life and have cheered me on at the highest points of my life, making me feel like I could conquer anything.”
As the “Break My Soul” singer smiled encouragingly and blinked back tears, Knowles continued: “I am asked most often, ‘What is the proudest moment you’ve had with your daughters?’ My answer is always the same. What I’m most proud of is the human beings they are.”
The celebration came a few days after Knowles graced the cover of Glamour alongside Maggie Baird, Mandy Teefey and Donna Kelce, who are the moms of Eilish, Selena Gomez and Travis Kelce, respectively. The former hairstylist echoed her pride for Bey, Solange and honorary daughter Kelly Rowland in the cover story, as well as reflected on how she taught the 32-time Grammy winner to stay humble despite finding fame as a teenager.
“We had some moments where I was like, ‘Listen, they can pick up their own suitcases,’” Knowles recalled of raising Bey. “’You look people in the eye, say hello, don’t turn into a diva. That’s not going to work here.’ You have to teach your kids that … because everybody’s trying to handle everything for them and kissing their butts sometimes. And I am like, ‘No, no, no, you’re not helpless.’”
While at the Women of the Year event, Bey also posed for photos with her mom and Rowland as well as chatted with 2024 Olympian Suni Lee. In one clip, the musician wrapped the gymnast in a hug as a stunned Lee said, “Oh my gosh, thank you!”
See clips of Bey tearing up at Knowles’ speech and hugging Lee below.
