In Beyoncéand Jay-Z‘s family, there’s room in the spotlight for whoever wants to be in it.
While their 8-year-old son Sir Carter is “more into books and electronics,” grandma Tina Knowles told E! News, his twin sister Rumi Carter “is a natural little star.”
And seeing Rumi onstage with big sister BlueIvy Carter, 13, on opening night of their mom’s Cowboy Carter Tour in April left no doubt as to who’s running this world.
“I build my work schedule around my family,” Beyoncé, who’s turning 44 on Sept. 4 (cheers to an extra occurrence of the artist’s favorite number) told GQ in 2024. “I try to only tour when my kids are out of school. I always dreamt of a life where I could see the world with my family and expose them to different languages, architecture, and lifestyles.”
She added, “Raising three kids isn’t easy. The older they get, the more they become their own individuals with unique needs, hobbies, and social lives.”
And in the household she shares with her husband of 17 years, Blue, Rumi and Sir all have the freedom to explore their interests.
“Blue is an artist,” Beyoncé explained. “She has great taste in music and fashion. She is a fantastic editor, painter, and actress. She has been creating characters since she was three.””
And while the teen is “a natural” when it comes to dancing, “I did not want Blue onstage,” the singer added. “Blue wanted it for herself.”
Though her 2023 debut as a backup dancer was supposed to be a one-off, Blue successfully convinced her wary mom that she was ready to hit the road, as seen in the documentary Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.
So, there was no question that Blue would appear on the Cowboy Carter Tour as well, a fan wielding a “We Love U Manager Blue” sign during a May show in Los Angeles.
And who knows, Beyoncé could still be sitting awestruck in her chair at the Grammys if Blue hadn’t reminded her to get up and accept her Album of the Year honor (the fifth nomination being a charm for her in that particular category).
Meanwhile, Rumididn’t want to wait another tour cycle to get in on the family business.
“You know my granddaughter Rumi told me, I said, ‘How do you feel when you wave and everybody screams?” Tina remarked during a May 19 stop on her Matriarch book tour. “She said, ‘It feels powerful.'”
Their apparent comfort on stage aside, Beyoncé has been busy shielding her kids from the perils of their parents’ fame.
“One thing I’ve worked extremely hard on is making sure my kids can have as much normalcy and privacy as possible, ensuring my personal life isn’t turned into a brand,” she expressed to GQ. “It’s very easy for celebrities to turn our lives into performance art. I have made an extreme effort to stay true to my boundaries and protect myself and my family. No amount of money is worth my peace.”
But even when money is no object, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s combined net worth estimated to be upward of $3 billion, time is the most precious currency.
“I think the most stressful thing for me is balancing work and life,” Beyoncé told Elle toward the end of 2019. “Making sure I am present for my kids—dropping Blue off at school, taking Rumi and Sir to their activities, making time for date nights with my husband, and being home in time to have dinner with my family—all while running a company can be challenging. Juggling all of those roles can be stressful, but I think that’s life for any working mom.”
Two years—and one pandemic lockdown—later, Beyonce was throwing around a different kind of f-word.
She told Harper’s Bazaar ahead of her 40th birthday in 2021, “My wish is for my 40s to be fun and full of freedom. I want to feel the same freedom I feel on stage every day of my life. I want to explore aspects of myself I haven’t had time to discover and to enjoy my husband and my children.”
Balance may have continued to prove elusive, but there was a life hack for that.
“My kids come with me everywhere I go,” Beyoncé told GQ. “They come to my office after school, and they are in the studio with me. They are in dance rehearsals. It’s natural that they would learn my choreography.”
When it comes to being artists, as their grandma Tina put it to E!, “How could they be anything else growing up in that environment?”
See more glimpses of the life Beyoncé has crafted for her kids…
A Sweet Feature
Beyoncé featured daughter Rumi Carter on her new country album Cowboy Carter.
“Protector,” the fourth song on the project, begins with Rumi asking, “Mom, can I hear the lullaby, please?” The clip leads into an acoustic ballad reflecting on her deep love for her children.
Gilded in Gold
While pregnant with her twins, the award-winning singer gave an incredible performance at the 2017 Grammys. It’s safe to say Rumi and Sir Carter had the best seats in the house!
One-Month Milestone
A month after welcoming her twins, the proud mom took to Instagram to gush over the babies. She wrote, “Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month today.”
Cuddles
In July 2022, Beyoncé thanked her kids ahead of her Renaissance album release.
“I want to give a special thank you to Rumi, Sir and Blue for allowing me the space, creativity, and inspiration,” she wrote on her website alongside this photo. “And a special thanks to my husband and muse, who held me down during those late nights in the studio.”
The Proud Family
The group posed together as The Proud Family for Halloween 2023.
All Smiles
The Houston native flashed a huge smile as she carried her babies.
Renaissance Tour
Rumi joined Bey and Madonna for a backstage tour photo in July 2023 alongside Madonna’s daughters Mercy, Stella and Estere.
Splashing Around
The twins adorably took a dip in the ocean in matching outfits.
Daddy’s Girl
The father-daughter duo looked at the amazing views as they enjoyed a boat ride together.
New Year, New Footage
The “Spirit” singer kicked off 2021 with a sweet video that captured heartwarming moments with her family. “Cheers to a New Year Beyhive,” she captioned her Instagram. “2020 divided us and united us. Most could not see loved ones and we felt too many losses, but we were united by our humanity.”
Birthday Beauty
To celebrate her 38th birthday, the award-winning singer shared behind-the-scenes pics of how she rang in her special day. In one photo, her kids help her blow out her candles.
Sweet Shout-Out
The “Black Parade” singer honored her son during the Black Is King visual album, writing, “And to all our sons and daughters, the sun and the moon. Bow for you. You are the keys to the kingdom.”
Black Is King Cameo
A family affair! Beyoncé struck a pose with her daughters, as well as her mother, Tina Knowles, during the “Brown Skin Girl” music video in Black Is King.
Mini-Me
A moment that was too cute for words!
Life’s a Beach!
In March 2021, The Lion King actress shared rare photos of her little ones enjoying a beach day in Malibu, Calif.
Sweet Kisses
Near the beginning of the film, Blue Ivy is seen resting against her mom as the Grammy winner sings “Bigger.” Beyoncé also plants a kiss on her daughter’s head.
Blue Ivy
Blue Ivy then steals the show in “Find Your Way Back.”
3 Generations
Beyoncé, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Rumi Carter and Blue Ivy Carter pose for a family photo in “Brown Skin Girl.”
Mother and Daughter
Bey and Blue also have a sweet moment in the song.
A Young Star
At one point, Blue sings a few lyrics. She even won a BET Award for her work on the song.
Precious Hugs
How cute are they?
Serious Style
The 8-year-old child brings some fierce fashion to the film. Here, she stars alongside her mom as they sing “My Power.”
“Spirit”
Fans got their first look at Blue Ivy’s “Spirit” cameo last year.
A Touching Dedication
At the end of the film, Beyoncé dedicates Black Is King to her son Sir Carter.
“And to all our sons and daughters, the sun and the moon bow for you,” she continues. “You are the keys to the kingdom.”
Father-Daughter Date Night
Blue Ivy and Jay-Z sat courtside at game five of the 2022 NBA finals between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics.
Birthday Girl
Mathew Knowles posted this photo of his granddaughter on her eighth birthday.
Happy 2020
Blue, Bey and Megan Thee Stallion pose inside a photo booth at a New Year’s Eve party.
Studio Time
The two stars sit in the studio together to work on “Brown Skin Girl.”
Play Time
The triple threat and her daughter have some fun with drums.
A Ride in the Sky
The mother and daughter took a helicopter ride together for a music video shoot.
Matching Mother and Daughter
The two adorably coordinated with matching pink outfits, sunglasses and drinks.
Legends Only
Donning bespoke (and coordinating!) Alexander McQueen designs, the pair hits the red carpet for The Lion King‘s World Premiere.
Come Sail Away
While enjoying a getaway to Cannes, Beyoncé (in Ritch Erani sandals) and Jay-Z took their daughter sailing. And yes, there was time to capture a family photo.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
“If Beyoncé don’t look like Blue on this photo!!! Getting her braids done by Toni,” Tina Knowles Lawson wrote on Instagram.
Dancing Duo
How cute do Bey and her mini-me’s coordinating white dresses look on the dance floor?
Bikini Buddies
Like mama, like Blue! The mother-daughter duo match in python-print one pieces.
Busy Beys
You’ll often find these two buzzing about with matching accessories (even if they are snazzy bee stickers).
Football Fans
Guess we know which college football team they’re rooting for this season—University of Texas!
Jacket Jazz
Neither Bey nor Blue can resist a chic black blazer.
Baby It’s Déjà Vu
True, everyone dressed in white for Solange‘s wedding. But Bey and Blue took their mini-me style a step further, with coordinating V-neck dresses and matching tongue-out smirks.
Shady Ladies
The pair sport coordinating circle shades while taking time to floss.
Duck Face Duo
These two have mastered the old selfie staple.
