Knowles, Beyoncé Giselle (1981– )

US pop singer, songwriter, and actor. In 1990 she became a member of the R&B group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling all-female groups of all time. She appeared in the films Austin Powers: Goldmember (2002), The Fighting Temptations (2003), The Pink Panther (2006), and Dreamgirls (2006), for which she also collaborated on the soundtrack. She released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003, followed by B'Day in 2006, both of which won Grammy Awards.

Knowles launched her singing career at the age of seven. Joining her in Destiny's Child were her cousin Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett; the group was managed by Knowles's father, Matthew. The group made their television debut on the popular US talent show Star Search, and their first album, the self-titled Destiny's Child, was released in 1998, featuring the single ‘No, No, No’. They followed with The Writing's on the Wall (1999), featuring the hit singles ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ and ‘Say My Name’, which won the group two Grammy awards. In 2000 Luckett and Roberson left the group and were replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin. Franklin left the group within five months, and the group became a trio. They released the hugely successful album Survivor in 2001, which brought them international fame, followed by Destiny Fulfilled in 2004.

Beyoncé is the maiden name of her mother, Tina. She was born in Houston, Texas, and attended The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. As well as co-writing much of the Destiny's Child material, she has composed songs for several film soundtracks. She is married to US hip hop artist and producer Jay-Z.