Beyoncé
Beyoncé in 2010, photo by kathclick/bigstock.com
Birth Name: Beyoncé Giselle Knowles
Place of Birth: Houston, Harris, Texas, U.S.
Date of Birth: September 4, 1981
Ethnicity:
*father – African-American
*mother – Louisiana Creole, including African, French, Acadian/French-Canadian, as well as distant Irish, Breton, and Belgian Walloon, remote Penobscot First Nations
Beyoncé, also known as Harmonies by The Hive, Queen Bey or Queen B, Third Ward Trill, Sasha Fierce, and Beyoncé Knowles, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, director, and businessperson. She was a member of R&B girl group Destiny’s Child, along with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and also, originally, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson. As a solo artist, she has won the most Grammy Awards of any person, at 32, and has sold over 200 million records worldwide. Often exploring themes of feminism and womanism, her songs include “Crazy in Love,” “Baby Boy,” “Me, Myself and I,” “Check on It,” “Déjà Vu,” “Irreplaceable,” “Beautiful Liar,” “If I Were a Boy,” “Single Ladies,” “Halo,” “Run the World (Girls),” “Drunk in Love,” “Formation,” “Perfect Duet,” “Break My Soul,” “Cuff It,” “Texas Hold ‘Em,” and “II Most Wanted.” Beyoncé has starred in the films Carmen: A Hip Hopera, Austin Powers in Goldmember, The Fighting Temptations, The Pink Panther (2006), Dreamgirls, Cadillac Records, Obsessed (2009), Epic (2013), and Disney’s The Lion King (2019), the latter two in voice role. She co-directed her music films Life Is But a Dream, Lemonade, and Black Is King, which she also co-wrote; and directed and wrote her music films Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé and Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.
Beyoncé is the daughter of Tina Knowles (born Célestine Ann Beyoncé), a fashion designer, and Mathew C. Knowles, a businessperson and talent manager. Her sister is singer and actress Solange Knowles. They are the first sisters to have each had No. 1 albums. She is married to rapper and music producer Jay-Z, with whom she has three children, including singer and dancer Blue Ivy Carter. Beyoncé and Jay-Z are in a musical superduo together, The Carters. Beyoncé is a step-sister of actress Bianca Lawson. Her mother is married to Bianca’s father, actor Richard Lawson. Beyoncé founded management company Parkwood Entertainment.
Beyoncé’s father is African-American. Beyoncé’s maternal grandparents were French-speaking Louisiana Creoles, with roots in New Iberia; their ancestry was mostly African and French, including French ancestors who lived in Canada. Through her mother’s line, Beyoncé is a great-great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Acadian leader Joseph Broussard, who led French-speaking Catholics from Nova Scotia, Canada to Louisiana in 1765. He was among the first 200 Acadians to arrive in Louisiana that year. She is also a descendant of French military officer Jean-Vincent d’Abbadie de Saint-Castin (born c. 1652 in Escout, France), and of his wife, Marie Mathilde Pidianske/Penobscot (born c. 1658), who was the daughter of Madockawando Abenaki, a chief of the Penobscot (Panawahpskek) people. Through Marie Mathilde, Beyoncé is of 1/1024 Indigenous descent. Beyoncé is also of approximately 1/32 Irish ancestry, and has distant Breton and Belgian Flemish roots on her mother’s side, the latter including her ancestor Albert de Cuir, from Hainaut Province, Wallonia. Her name, Beyoncé, is a tribute to her mother’s family name, Beyincé. Through her Broussard line, she is a third cousin of gospel singer and graphic artist Karen Showell.
Beyoncé has said that she has Nigerian ancestry. She may have discovered this through a DNA test.
Beyoncé’s parents Mathew and Tina, 2007, photo by bigstock.com
Beyoncé’s mother has also been described as having Cherokee and/or Choctaw Native American ancestry. It is not clear if this ancestry has been verified/documented. No Cherokee or Choctaw Native American ancestors appear on publicly available family trees of Beyoncé’s mother. One book biography, Crazy in Love: The Beyoncé Knowles Biography, also refers to Beyoncé’s mother having Spanish, Jewish, Chinese, and Indonesian ancestry. It is also not clear if this is accurate.
Beyoncé does not speak French or Spanish, but she has sung in Spanish before.
A picture of Beyoncé’s maternal grandparents can be seen here.
Beyoncé’s paternal grandfather was Matthew/Mathew Q. Knowles (the son of Taylor Knowles and Girlie/Gurlie/Gerlie Mae Miller). Matthew was born in Alabama. Taylor was the son of James Isaac Knowles and Sarah Elizabeth Dixon. Girlie was the daughter of Prophet Miller and Jane Hall.
Beyoncé’s paternal grandmother is Lou Helen Hogue (the daughter of Davis/Dave Hogue and Hester Moore). Lou was born in Alabama. Davis was the son of Jim Hogue and Rosetta Moore. Hester was the daughter of Pinkney Madison Moore and Arenia Goree.
Beyoncé’s maternal grandfather was Lumis/Lumas Albert Beyincé/Buyincé (the son of Alexandre/Alexon Beyincé/Buyincé and Mary Olevia). Lumis was born in Delcambre, Vermilion, Louisiana.
Beyoncé’s maternal grandmother was Agnès/Agnèz DeRouen/Deréon (the daughter of Eugène-Gustave DeRouen/Deréon/Derezen and Odelia/Odilia Broussard). Agnès was born in Louisiana, and was a prominent seamstress. Eugène-Gustave likely was the son of Eloi Jacques DeRouen. Odelia was the daughter of Éloi/Éloy-René Rosemond Broussard, who was white, of French descent, and of Celestine Joséphine Lessee/Lesse/Lesser/Lacy/Lacey/Lessassier, who was black/mixed-race black, and the daughter of a slave mother. Éloi and Joséphine had many children together, and possibly married. A picture of Beyoncé’s great-grandfather Eugène-Gustave can be seen here.
LOS ANGELES – FEB 10: Beyoncé arrives to the Grammy Awards on February 10, 2013 in Hollywood, CA photo by DFree/Bigstock.com
Sources: Genealogies of Beyoncé – http://www.geni.com
https://famouskin.com
Family histories of Beyoncé – https://www.hollywoodancestry.com
https://www.dailymail.co.uk
https://jack.canalplus.com
Family history of Beyoncé, by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak – http://www.huffingtonpost.com
Beyoncé’s paternal grandfather, Matthew/Mathew Q. Knowles, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Beyoncé’s paternal grandmother, Lou Helen Hogue, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Beyoncé’s maternal grandmother, Agnès/Agnèz DeRouen/Deréon, on 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Article about Beyoncé’s maternal great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, Joseph Broussard – http://www.biographi.ca
Hey !…so let me get this straight…whts the argument about again ?..she french..indian..and black..great…uhm idk who didn’t know this already ?..there’s no argument in her grade of hair in her child pictures..about 6 or 7 with french waves..much like her mother..noow solange..idk wht happened..smh lol. The end.
this is so funny. people are always throwing solange under the bus. This is the wonderful thing about siblings. They might have similar features, however, there are traits one might get that another won’t, resulting in uniqueness. Solange is beautiful, stop playing!
http://www.aolcdn.com/photogalleryassets/bv-life-style/313125/Beyonce-solange-bet-2001-450a071808.jpg
I think Solange is very pretty. And KUDOS to her for wearing her hair short and getting rid of those phony weaves like her sister and countless other black women.
Her grade of hair? What an dumb a**.
I’m am not on here trying to prove a point ande YESINTERESTING, I’m an 100% Lousiana Creole(YOU can get my profile on here)and read up please..I dont care if Beyonce was Blue,Green orPurple..i’m am only stating the facts and i am entiltled to my opinion..i am not on here to bash anybody.The truth being told is I am one of many PROUD LOUSIANA CREOLES who is not afraid of who i am..Alot of people get us mixed up with Cajun people which is not the SAME THING!! Anyway i just wanted to say that i’m glad Beyonce identifies herself Black yet i wish acknowlege her mother’s side (She does in some interviews)..that’s all..Not tryin to school anybody about race..Just stating the HARD FACTS!!
Beyonce is not afraid to admit she’s half creole. She has a song called creole!! And its been out for years!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JPn8NE0NDY
Yes,Beyonce has acknowledge the FACT that she is of Creole heritage,she HAS ADMIT this in SOME ,not all,videos,songs whatever..At the end of the day She is STILL one beautiful HUMAN BEING..Regardless of COLOR…
Who the freak cares! Lets all agree to freaking disagree! Now me, whatever Beyonce says she is im going to nod my head and forget 2 seconds later because skin color and race doesnt matter. Whatever she calls herself is how I see her…
BEYONCE IS PROUD TO BE BLACK
AND SHE SAYS IN INTERVIEWS IM A BLACK WOMAN
–
THAT CREOLE
STUFF IS JUST NON SENSE
How can it be nonsense when it is 100% true?She is claiming her African-American roots because that is how the world perceives her when in reality she is Creole also because of her mother’s Creole heritage.That’s great that she feels like she identifies mostly with Blacks but as the old saying goes “Don’t forget where u came from” Texaas is known for its large population of Louisiana french-speaking Creoles and Beyonce was born and raised there…
Also French journalists over in France made it known to Beyonce that she was one of them”.. FRENCH”.. when she did a well-publicized tour over in France..There are 3 types of Creoles,and Beyonce mother has also claimed that her parents are Louisiana French -speaking Creoles…
we get it. Shut up already
Good.I’m glad u did..
Beyonce is not no different than any other African American. It’s just that she KNOWS her heritage. Divine, you’re too invested in trying to prove a point. Are you French? Or are you Creole? It’s funny, because if she wasn’t famous, no one would care. Look at solange, I’ve never seen someone calling her mixed lololol. And lets not forget her cousin Angie Beyince from her mother’s side… come on now. Y’all need to stop that. As african americans, hell as americans, we’re not pure, however she’s still black. You want her to claim something that has probably come about from raped ancestry. Who would want to claim that? Why do you think blacks are so quick to say they’re mixed with Native American?
The anwer you gave was an ignorant one! First of all if you studied the history of LA you would have learned that the French occupied LA for a long time and creole LA are a derivative of African, Native American and French ! It was a country operating under its own system and culture! So her roots are telling if you would just educate yourself! Your answer sounds hateful and one that envies the rich culture of creole people! I bet u don’t even understand creole culture do you but your simple minded self is quick to critcize? Mardi Gras, Catholicism, Zydeco, French language, Food shall I go on?? I grew up in this culture and believe me you my grandparents were true French speaking creole people just like B’s grandparents! I bet you thought they were talking ebonics right??? So I beg to differ love the cultures are not exactly the same as to what you are trying to explain! Come again! Often a person like yourself will have a tid bit of info an swear you know it all! You probably don’t even have an array of friends of different cultures to even begin to understand!
No darlin you need to come on now ! I get so sick and tired of quote un quote blacks who don’t seem to understand that people of color can be a derivative of many backgrounds! It does not mean just because ones skin is brown that oh we all culturally can relate! In addition, it does not mean too that just because someone chooses to identify with one part of who they r as opposed to the other makes them 100 percent the chosen side! You made mention of the rape occurring and thats how many creole people become diverse! My dear you have much to learn about this culture that you clearly don’t know! I would first challenge those of you who may foolishly agree with this “interesting” blogger to research and be well informed before you tend to agree or disagree! I am amazed at people who have at their fingertips access to research information through the use of the computer and folks still make ignorant comments when they have the ability to reseach and confirm info. I was a class room teacher for almost 10 years and I would always suggest to students that before you debate a topic make sure you are well informed! READ READ READ! RESEACH,REARCH, RESEARCH!
Her mother is clearly a mixed blooded woman.
exactly indians were originally a redder skin with dark black hair and deep colored eyes. A full blooded indian looks like my grandma. Same for black people they do not have blue eyes neither do indians. If they do they are obviously not all indian and have white traits in them
I agree .But we are not talking about full-blooded indians….blue-eyes are past on because of european(Caucasian) ancestry yet THERE ARE SOME INDIANS of mixed heritage that have a small percentage of caucasian blood in them..WHY? Because of multi-racial or biracial ancestry..Noone is impying that she is 100% indian.I’m Creole and i have indian (CHEROKEE) blood in me yet i am not claiming i’m all indian..My mother has grey-blue eyes and she is also Creole(mixed with INDIAN,SPANISH,African and French(white) heritage ) anyway..this is about Beyonce ..let’s leave it at that.
She is considers herself black. I saw a video of her at Obama’s election. She was crying saying she was proud to finally have a black president, that was what her people needed.
Those were her exact words…her people.
Dear Drooling,
My friend, Beyonces announcement about being 100 percent black is for your comfort! This back and forth about what B identifies with is for the birds! It has already been determined that she is African-American, French, and Native American CASE CLOSED!!!! I know its hard for you to except but just take it from an educators point of view before you fail the course!!!! STOP THIS ALREADY! YOU SOUND EVEN MORE IGNORANT WHEN ITS ALREADY BEEN PROVEN!!!! STOP IT ! YOU SOUND LIKE A SLAVE WHO CAN’T PAST THE POINT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EMANCIPATED!!!!! A whole lot of people explain only one side of their ancestry and not the other!!! Now she has changed her mind and chosen to identify with the fact that she is part creole!!!! So what!!! Her business! It still doesn’t change the fact that she is and will always be African, French and Native American creole baby!!!! Oh and by the way I’m of creole roots too!lol! Rich culture I might add! What many of you don’t even recognize that many creole people only lived and went to church (Catholics) amongst other creole people historically! So imagine this your ebonic speaking grandmother and my french speaking grandmother wouldn’t even understand each other they didn’t socialize with each other, didn’t marry outside of their culture and traditionally went to Catholic Churches unless they decided to change!!! I will also say that I have never tasted my grandmothers fried chicken you know why??? Cause she never cooked fried chicken!!! Sorry my friends not a traditional dish of the creole people! So yes even though u may connect with African-American culture does not mean that the other part of you is non existing! I will share this with u though! As a child I often wondered why when I went to my church I really never saw people of color there! Particularly African-Americans! U know as an educator I learned that children take in everything and that if they really want to know bad enough then they will find out ! So as I researched I began to see my grandparents language (French) was so different than the other African-American childrens grandparents I came into contact with! Why my family didn ‘t cook this famous FRIED CHICKEN that all African Americans people are suppose to have at their dinner tables, why when I went to church a church that traditionally is known not have AFRICAN-AMERICANS in it why I was worshiping there! All I can do is shake my head as I am typing this! I can remember that I had not really stepped foot in an African American church (Baptist, Methodist or whatever chuch African Americans are primarily of) until I was about 16 years of age and thought this was the strangest experience and those African-Americans that knew me as a Catholic would poke fun and asking stupid questions about my faith! So don’t u tell me that as African Americans and creole ancestry we are all the same! THATS A DAMN LIE! I’m not going to be as rude as I have seen some African-Americans have been! The way my parents/grandparents raised me was like that of a foreigner in his own land! I know for myself I could feel the difference in the way some African-American children socialized in comparison of those from other cultures myself included ! As you may have already figured most of my friends ended up being from other cultures because for some reason I couldn’t relate to some African-American children and that’s it in a nutshell!!! So as time went on and I became an educator I began to see the same problems exhibited in the the classroom with some African-American children! Problems socializing with childern who may have been children of color but different cultures! It saddens me to see that this problem is still prevelant in adults! Listen and I mean no disrespect! Please keep in mind what I am about to share with you is not wishful thinking but fact: Many African-American children are not encouraged to read beyond what they must! They are traditionally coming from single parent households and education is rarely encouraged the way it should be! Wake up AFRICAN-AMERICANS you are playing a very dangerous game with yourself! When you fail to prepare yourself for the battle you will loose the WAR! I have seen children coming from other countries surpass AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN! TOO LAZY TO READ, RESEARCH ETC.
I had to continue this comment! Now I have noticed that one person has already disagreed and thats fine! All you have done is to validate what I already know! I know it hurts to hear the truth but I needed to say it! I want to challenge you to research and come back on this blog with something factually different than what I have said! I’ll give you a headsup this is not some street corner debate like I have seen some people on this board try and argue!!! I will give you a tidbid of info. I studied the BLACK DIASPORA as part of my education! Are you sure your ready????? Please let me school you!!!!LOL! I LOVE A GOOD LESSON! Remember I spend a great deal of time around colleagues who’s education exceed that of the average joe! Oh and as an educator I must say that I would never say that AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN are not capable! They are as equally capable as any other child! However back to those creole roots of mine! Many creole people traditionally come from educational backgrounds! Meaning education was certainly encouraged! Remember those diverse roots we were talking about!? Many creole folks were fortunate enough to go to Europe to study!!! This explains why I am 5th generation college graduate! Pick your tongue up off the floor! That’s what I said! So now how many African American families can say that!!!! You see I have spoken to my creole ancestors who have given me so much insight that I am a proud creole woman!!!! Oh by the way Creole people culturally are not known to be a poor people! Generally a wealthy group of people! (Look it up) My grandparents worked hard to acheive their success is all I will say!lol! So all I am doing is pointing out that what you thought you knew but you didn’t! I! ! Creole culture yes had its challenges but still had its richness! ALL IM SAYING IS READ AND RESEARCH PEOPLE STOP BLOGGING STUPIDITY! THAT’S WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTELLIGENT DIALOUGE AND UNINTELLIGENT DIALOUGE! This board should be used as a means of learning from each other! Not topping ignorance with more ignorance! Another words when I say something that is a fact you should be building upon knowledge and providing more facts! Its stupid for you to blog that what you think regarding a subject matter that has been proven! Just like that 1/8 drop rule! I can’t tell you how ignorant you sound saying that a person who has been proven to be more than one race is just one race! From an educational point of view you don’t sound too educated so stop this!!!