Discover the career path of Beyoncé, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is a highly influential American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Renowned for her powerful vocals, versatility, and captivating live performances, she has made a substantial impact on the music industry and popular culture. Her work often explores themes of female empowerment, identity, and social justice, solidifying her status as a cultural icon.
Her second film Dreamgirls, the film version of the 1981 Broadway musical loosely based on The Supremes.
On October 5, 1995, Dwayne Wiggins's Grass Roots Entertainment signed Beyoncé's group.
In 1996, Beyoncé's group began recording their debut album under an agreement with Sony Music. The Knowles family reunited, and the group secured a contract with Columbia Records.
In 1996, the group changed their name to Destiny's Child, based upon a passage in the Book of Isaiah.
In 1997, Beyoncé rose to fame as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.
In 1997, Destiny's Child released their major label debut song "Killing Time" on the soundtrack to the film Men in Black.
In February 1998, Destiny's Child released their self-titled debut album, establishing the group as a viable act in the music industry.
In 1999, Destiny's Child released their Multi-Platinum second album The Writing's on the Wall, featuring hit songs such as "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Jumpin' Jumpin'" and "Say My Name".
In January 2017, it was announced that Beyoncé would headline the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. This would have made Beyoncé only the second female headliner of the festival since it was founded in 1999.
In 2000, Destiny's Child recorded "Independent Women Part I", which appeared on the soundtrack to the film Charlie's Angels and topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for eleven consecutive weeks.
In May 2001, Destiny's Child released their third album Survivor, which debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200.
In October 2001, Destiny's Child released their holiday album 8 Days of Christmas and announced a hiatus to pursue solo careers.
In 2001, Beyoncé became the first Black woman and second female lyricist to win the Pop Songwriter of the Year award at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards.
In July 2002, Beyoncé made her theatrical film debut, playing Foxxy Cleopatra in the comedy film Austin Powers in Goldmember.
In October 2002, Beyoncé's first solo recording was a feature on Jay-Z's song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde".
Beyoncé began working with Pepsi in 2002, marking the start of a long-term endorsement partnership.
In 2002, Beyoncé and Jay-Z collaborated on the song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde," sparking relationship speculation due to Beyoncé's appearance in the music video.
In 2002, Beyoncé ventured into acting, starring in the film Austin Powers in Goldmember.
In 2002, Beyoncé's mother co-wrote a book titled "Destiny's Style," which discussed the impact of fashion on Destiny's Child's success.
In 2002, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Tina Knowles built the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth, a community center in Downtown Houston.
On June 14, 2003, Beyoncé premiered songs from her first solo album Dangerously in Love during a concert and television special.
On June 24, 2003, Beyoncé released her debut solo album Dangerously in Love, which debuted atop the Billboard 200.
In November 2003, Beyoncé embarked on the Dangerously in Love Tour in Europe and later toured alongside Missy Elliott and Alicia Keys for the Verizon Ladies First Tour in North America.
In 2003, Beyoncé released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, which became one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century and featured hit singles like "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy".
In 2003, Beyoncé starred opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. in the musical comedy The Fighting Temptations as Lilly.
On February 1, 2004, Beyoncé performed the American national anthem at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas.
On November 15, 2004, Destiny's Child released their final studio album Destiny Fulfilled, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.
In 2004, Beyoncé appeared in a Gladiator-themed Pepsi commercial with Britney Spears, Pink, and Enrique Iglesias, showcasing a high-profile collaboration.
On June 11, 2005, during the last stop of their European tour in Barcelona, Rowland announced that Destiny's Child would disband following the North American leg of the tour.
On October 25, 2005, Destiny's Child released their first compilation album Number 1's in the U.S.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Beyoncé and Rowland founded the Survivor Foundation to provide transitional housing to displaced families, contributing an initial $250,000.
In 2005, Beyoncé and her mother, Tina Knowles, introduced House of Deréon, a women's fashion line inspired by three generations of women in their family.
In 2005, Beyoncé teamed up with House of Brands, a shoe company, to produce a range of footwear for House of Deréon.
On September 4, 2006, Beyoncé released her second solo album B'Day in the U.S., to coincide with her twenty-fifth birthday.
In 2006 Beyoncé paid homage to Josephine Baker by performing "Déjà Vu" at the Fashion Rocks concert wearing Baker's trademark mini-hula skirt embellished with fake bananas
In 2006, Beyoncé introduced her all-female tour band Suga Mama, featuring a diverse range of instrumentalists. Suga Mama made their debut at the 2006 BET Awards.
In 2006, Beyoncé presented Michael Jackson with a tribute award at the World Music Awards and stating that "if it wasn't for Michael Jackson, I would never ever have performed."
In 2006, Beyoncé starred in the comedy film The Pink Panther and received acclaim for her role in Dreamgirls, playing a pop singer based on Diana Ross.
In 2006, Beyoncé's commercial success continued with the release of the album B'Day, which featured hit singles including "Check on It" and "Irreplaceable".
In April 2007, Beyoncé embarked on The Beyoncé Experience, her first worldwide concert tour, and conducted pre-concert food donation drives.
Forbes magazine began reporting on Beyoncé's earnings in June 2007.
In 2007, Beyoncé founded the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments, a housing complex offering living space for 43 displaced individuals.
In 2007, Beyoncé promoted Emporio Armani's Diamonds fragrance, showcasing her involvement in the fragrance industry.
In 2007, Suga Mama supported Beyoncé in live performances, including her concert tour The Beyoncé Experience.
In January 2008, Starwave Mobile launched Beyoncé Fashion Diva, a "high-style" mobile game featuring the House of Deréon collection.
Between June 2007 and June 2008, Beyoncé earned $80 million, making her the world's best-paid music personality.
In November 2008, Beyoncé released "I Am... Sasha Fierce", formally introducing her alter ego Sasha Fierce. The album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart.
In 2008, Beyoncé expanded her acting career by starring as Etta James in the musical biopic Cadillac Records. She received praise for her performance and donated her salary to Phoenix House.
In 2008, Beyoncé introduced her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, with the release of her album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. Sasha Fierce represented Beyoncé's on-stage persona.
In 2008, Beyoncé's commercial success continued with the release of the album I Am... Sasha Fierce, which featured hit singles including "If I Were a Boy", "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)" and "Halo".
In 2008, Parkwood Entertainment began as a production unit for videos and films. Parkwood Entertainment's first production was the musical biopic Cadillac Records.
In March 2009, Beyoncé started the "I Am... Tour", which was her second headlining worldwide concert tour. It consisted of 108 shows and grossed $119.5 million.
In July 2009, Beyoncé and her mother launched a new junior apparel label, Sasha Fierce for Deréon, featuring sportswear, outerwear, handbags, footwear, eyewear, lingerie and jewelry.
In 2009, Beyoncé and Jay-Z entered the Guinness World Records as the "highest-earning power couple" for collectively earning $122 million. In the years leading up to 2011, Beyoncé averaged $70 million per year.
In 2009, Beyoncé continued her acting career, starring in the film Obsessed.
In 2009, Billboard named Beyoncé the Top Female Artist and Top Radio Songs Artist of the Decade, recognizing her achievements throughout the 2000s.
In 2009, Forbes placed Beyoncé fourth on the Celebrity 100 list.
In 2009, Suga Mama continued to support Beyoncé in live performances during her I Am... Tour.
In 2009, after starring in Cadillac Records, Beyoncé donated her full $4 million salary from the film to Phoenix House, a non-profit drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization.
In January 2010, Beyoncé announced a hiatus from her music career, following her mother's advice. She also parted ways with her father as a business partner during this break.
In January 2010, Beyoncé participated in George Clooney and Wyclef Jean's Hope for Haiti Now telethon and was named the official face of the CFDA "Fashion For Haiti" T-shirt.
In February 2010, Beyoncé announced in an interview with Allure magazine that she no longer needed Sasha Fierce, feeling comfortable enough with herself.
In May 2010, Beyoncé teamed up with clothing store C&A to launch Deréon by Beyoncé at their stores in Brazil.
In September 2010, Beyoncé made her runway modeling debut at Tom Ford's Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show.
In 2010, Beyoncé founded her own entertainment company Parkwood Entertainment, an imprint based from Columbia Records, which began as a production unit for videos and films in 2008.
In 2010, Beyoncé launched her first official fragrance, Heat, marking a significant step in her entrepreneurial ventures.
In 2010, Forbes placed Beyoncé ninth on the "Most Powerful Women in the World" list.
In 2010, Suga Mama continued to support Beyoncé in live performances during her I Am... Tour.
In February 2011, Beyoncé launched her second fragrance, Heat Rush, adding to her line of celebrity fragrances.
In April 2011, Beyoncé joined forces with U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama to help boost the campaign against child obesity by reworking her single "Get Me Bodied".
In May 2011, Billboard magazine listed Beyoncé at number 17 on their list of the Top 20 Hot 100 Songwriters for having co-written eight singles that hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
On June 26, 2011, Beyoncé became the first solo female artist in over twenty years to headline the main Pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival. Her fourth studio album, 4, was released two days prior in the U.S.
On August 1, 2011, Beyoncé's album 4 was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having shipped 1 million copies to retail stores.
On August 29, 2011, Beyoncé announced her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards, leading to record-breaking social media activity.
In September 2011, Beyoncé launched her third fragrance, Pulse, expanding her presence in the fragrance market.
Beyoncé's runway debut at Tom Ford's Spring/Summer fashion show was released in 2011.
From 2009 to 2011, Beyoncé's average yearly earnings were $70 million, marking a period of high income for the artist.
In 2011, Beyoncé's commercial success continued with the release of the album 4, which featured hit singles including "Run the World (Girls)" and "Love On Top".
In May 2012, Beyoncé announced that she would bring back Sasha Fierce for her Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live shows later that month.
In June 2012, Beyoncé performed for four nights at Revel Atlantic City's Ovation Hall to celebrate the resort's opening, her first performances since giving birth to her daughter.
In December 2012, Beyoncé joined other celebrities in a video campaign for "Demand A Plan" to influence federal gun control laws after the Sandy Hook shooting.
In 2012, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were recognized as the "World's Highest-Paid Celebrity Couples", collectively earning $78 million. Also in 2012, Beyoncé earned $40 million individually.
In 2012, Beyoncé became an ambassador for the World Humanitarian Day campaign, donating her song "I Was Here" and its music video to the campaign.
In 2012, Beyoncé signed a $50 million deal to endorse Pepsi, solidifying her position as a major brand ambassador.
In 2012, Forbes placed Beyoncé at number 16 on the Celebrity 100 list, with earnings of $40 million.
In January 2013, Beyoncé performed the American national anthem at President Obama's second inauguration in Washington, D.C.
On March 26, 2013, Beyoncé publicly endorsed same-sex marriage following the Supreme Court debate on California's Proposition 8.
In April 2013, Beyoncé sampled Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech "We should all be feminists" in her song "Flawless", publicly aligning herself with feminism.
In April 2013, NetBase found that Beyoncé's Pepsi campaign was the most talked about endorsement, with a 70 percent positive audience response, demonstrating its effectiveness and popularity.
On June 1, 2013, a concert for the Gucci "Chime for Change" campaign took place in London to promote female empowerment.
From June 2013 to June 2014, Beyoncé earned an estimated $115 million, which led to her ranking at number one on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list in June 2014.
In June 2013, Beyoncé's lawyers settled out of court regarding the cancelled Starpower: Beyoncé video game deal, citing the loss of GateFive's financial backers as the reason for cancellation.
On December 13, 2013, Beyoncé unexpectedly released her self-titled fifth studio album on the iTunes Store without any prior announcement or promotion.
According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Beyoncé sold 2.3 million units worldwide in 2013, becoming the tenth best-selling album of the year.
In 2013, Beyoncé and Jay-Z attended a rally in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin.
In 2013, Beyoncé released The Mrs. Carter Show Limited Edition version of Heat, adding to her best-selling celebrity fragrance line.
In 2013, Beyoncé released her self-titled album Beyoncé, exploring personal and political themes and popularizing the surprise album concept.
In 2013, Parkwood Entertainment distributed Beyoncé's self-titled fifth studio album, marking a key milestone for the company.
In 2013, Suga Mama supported Beyoncé in live performances during The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.
In April 2016, Lemonade debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, tying Beyonce with DMX's 2013 record of having their first six studio albums debut atop the chart.
In November 2014, Forbes reported that Beyoncé was the top-earning woman in music for the second year in a row, earning $115 million in 2013.
In March 2014, The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour concluded. The tour included 132 dates and became the most successful tour of her career.
In April 2014, Beyoncé and Jay-Z officially announced their On the Run Tour, marking their first co-headlining stadium tour together.
As of April 2014, Beyoncé and Jay-Z had sold a combined 300 million records together.
In June 2014, Beyoncé ranked at number one on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, with estimated earnings of $115 million from June 2013 to June 2014, marking her first time topping the list and her highest yearly earnings to date.
In October 2014, Beyoncé signed a deal to launch an activewear line of clothing with British fashion retailer Topshop.
As of November 2014, Beyoncé's self-titled album has sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
In 2014, Suga Mama supported Beyoncé in live performances during The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.
In March 2015, Beyoncé became a co-owner of the music streaming service Tidal, joining other artists in adapting to the streaming demands of the music industry.
As of March 2015, Beyoncé's self-titled album has generated over 1 billion streams.
By December 2015, sales of Beyoncé's album 4 reached 1.5 million copies in the U.S.
In April 2016, Beyoncé launched Ivy Park, a 50–50 venture with Topshop, named after her daughter and favorite number.
In April 2016, Beyoncé released Lemonade, a visual album, on HBO and Tidal. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200.
In June 2016, Beyoncé donated over $82,000 to the United Way of Genesee County to support victims of the Flint water crisis.
As of 2016, Beyoncé had donated $7 million for the maintenance of the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments, providing housing for displaced individuals.
In 2016, Beyoncé clarified her stance on police brutality in response to the controversy surrounding her song "Formation".
In 2016, Beyoncé ranked at number 34 on the Celebrity 100 list with earnings of $54 million. She and Jay-Z also topped the highest-paid celebrity couple list, with combined earnings of $107.5 million.
In 2016, Beyoncé released Lemonade, further exploring personal and political themes, and solidifying the visual album format.
In 2016, Beyoncé spoke against North Carolina's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act during her concert in Raleigh.
In 2016, Lemonade became the most critically acclaimed work of Beyoncé's career and was included among the best albums of the year by several music publications. She also became the most-awarded artist in the history of the VMAs (24), surpassing Madonna (20).
In 2016, Suga Mama supported Beyoncé in live performances during The Formation World Tour.
In July 2017, Billboard announced that Beyoncé was the highest-paid musician of 2016, with an estimated total of $62.1 million.
In January 2017, it was announced that Beyoncé would headline the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in 2017.
In February 2017, Beyoncé spoke out against the withdrawal of protections for transgender students in public schools by Donald Trump's administration.
In July 2017, Billboard announced that Beyoncé was the highest-paid musician of 2016, with an estimated total of $62.1 million.
During Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, Beyoncé launched BeyGOOD Houston to support those affected by the hurricane in Houston.
In September 2017, Beyoncé collaborated with J Balvin and Willy William to release a remix of the song "Mi Gente". She donated all proceeds from the song to hurricane charities.
On December 1, 2017, "Perfect Duet" featuring Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé was released. The song reached number-one in the United States.
On February 5, 2018, album 4 reached one billion Spotify streams, making Beyoncé the first female artist to have three of their albums surpass one billion streams on the platform.
On April 14, 2018, Beyoncé headlined the first weekend of the Coachella Music Festival with a performance that paid tribute to black culture and included a Destiny's Child reunion. It was highly praised and became the most-watched live Coachella performance on YouTube.
On June 6, 2018, Beyoncé and Jay-Z started their On the Run II Tour in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
In September 2018, Beyoncé wrote about her pregnancy and its aftermath in Vogue, having full control over the cover and photography.
On December 2, 2018, Beyoncé and Jay-Z headlined the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a performance that celebrated African diversity.
As of 2018, Forbes calculated Beyoncé's net worth to be $355 million, and in June of 2018, ranked her as the 35th-highest-earning celebrity, with annual earnings of $60 million. This also made her the first of two female artists to earn more than $100 million twice in a single year.
In 2018, Beyoncé delivered her historic Coachella performances which would later be the focus of her 'Homecoming' documentary.
In 2018, Parkwood Entertainment distributed The Carters' album Everything is Love, expanding its portfolio to include collaborative projects.
On February 23, 2017, it was announced that Beyoncé will instead headline the 2018 festival.
In February 2019, Chloe x Halle, artists signed to Parkwood Entertainment, performed at Super Bowl LIII, showcasing the company's talent roster.
On April 17, 2019, Netflix released "Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé", a documentary and concert film about her 2018 Coachella performance, along with the surprise live album "Homecoming: The Live Album".
On July 11, 2019, The Lion King soundtrack was released, featuring Beyoncé on a remake of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".
In July 2019, Beyoncé voiced Nala in the remake of The Lion King, marking another significant role in her career.
In 2019, Beyoncé voiced Nala in The Lion King.
In 2019, Beyoncé's Homecoming film inspired a partnership with Peloton to provide themed workout experiences for historically black colleges and universities.
In January 2020, the Ivy Park collection was previewed in the upcoming Elle January 2020 issue, where Beyoncé was seen wearing garments, accessories, and footwear from the first collection.
In April 2020, Beyoncé donated $6 million to mental health organizations to provide services to essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In April 2020, Beyoncé was featured on the remix of Megan Thee Stallion's song "Savage", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
In May 2020, Beyoncé, in collaboration with her mother, provided 1,000 free COVID-19 tests in Houston through the #IDidMyPart initiative, addressing disproportionate deaths in African-American communities. Additional resources like gloves, masks, meals, and vouchers were also provided during May 2020.
On June 19, 2020, Beyoncé released the charity single "Black Parade", followed by an a cappella version on Tidal.
In July 2020, Beyoncé launched the Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund in partnership with the NAACP, offering $10,000 grants to black-owned small businesses affected by the George Floyd protests. Proceeds from her single "Black Parade" were contributed to this fund during July 2020.
On July 31, 2020, Beyoncé's visual album Black Is King, based on The Lion King: The Gift, premiered on Disney+.
In September 2020, Beyoncé announced an additional donation of $1 million to the Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund, further supporting black-owned businesses. This brought more funds to the project in September 2020.
In October 2020, Beyoncé publicly stated her support for the End SARS movement in Nigeria, collaborating with the Feminist Coalition to provide medical, legal, and logistical aid to protestors. She also supported those fighting against other issues in Africa during October 2020.
In November 2020, Beyoncé formed a multi-year partnership with Peloton to celebrate homecoming season in historically black colleges and universities, providing themed workout experiences.
In December 2020, Beyoncé donated $500,000 to address the housing crisis in the U.S. resulting from the end of the eviction moratorium, providing 100 grants of $5,000 to families facing foreclosure and eviction. This was done during December 2020.
In 2020, Beyoncé starred in the film Black Is King.
In 2020, Beyoncé was awarded the BET Humanitarian Award, recognizing her philanthropic efforts and contributions to humanitarian causes.
As of December 31, 2020, the Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund had distributed 715 grants to black-owned small businesses, totaling $7.15 million in donations. This update was given on December 31, 2020.
In June 2021, Beyoncé won the award of "top touring artist" of the decade (2010s) at the Pollstar Awards and was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame as a member of the inaugural class.
In 2021, Beyoncé partnered with Tiffany & Co. for the "About Love" campaign, becoming the fourth woman and first Black woman to wear the Tiffany Yellow Diamond, which faced backlash due to its association with blood diamonds and British colonialism.
In 2021, Beyoncé wrote and recorded "Be Alive" for the film King Richard, earning her first Academy Award nomination.
On March 27, 2022, Beyoncé performed "Be Alive" at the 94th Academy Awards, choosing to perform on the Compton tennis courts where Venus and Serena Williams practiced.
On June 15, 2022, Beyoncé officially announced her seventh studio album, titled Renaissance.
On June 20, 2022, Beyoncé released "Break My Soul", the lead single from Renaissance.
On July 29, 2022, Beyoncé's seventh studio album, Renaissance, was released.
In 2022, Beyoncé released the queer-inspired dance album Renaissance, highlighting the contributions of Black pioneers to American musical and cultural history.
On January 21, 2023, Beyoncé performed in Dubai at a private show, her first full concert in over four years.
In February 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Ivy Park line was struggling financially, with revenue falling by more than 50% over the past fiscal year.
In March 2023, Olivier Rousteing and Beyoncé collaborated on a couture collection, "Renaissance Couture", with sixteen looks corresponding to the sixteen tracks on her album Renaissance.
In March 2023, it was announced that Beyoncé and Adidas reached a mutual decision to end their partnership.
On November 30, 2023, Beyoncé released Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, a documentary concert film chronicling her Renaissance World Tour.
By December 2023, Forbes estimated Beyoncé's net worth to be $800 million, reflecting her continued financial success.
On February 11, 2024, following a Super Bowl LVIII commercial with Verizon, Beyoncé announced Cowboy Carter, the second installment of her trilogy project, and released the songs "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages".
In February 2024, Beyoncé launched Cécred, a hair care product line developed to fit different hair textures, and established an annual grant in collaboration with BeyGood to support cosmetology students and professional hair stylists.
On March 12, 2024, Beyoncé announced the title of her upcoming album, Cowboy Carter.
In July 2024, Beyoncé gave Vice President Kamala Harris permission to use the song "Freedom" as the official song for her 2024 presidential campaign.
In July 2024, NBC released two promotional commercials featuring Beyoncé to promote their coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
In September 2024, Beyoncé partnered with Levi Strauss & Co. to remake a classic '80s 'Launderette' campaign.
In October 2024, Beyoncé, alongside her mother Tina and Kelly Rowland endorsed Kamala Harris for president at a campaign rally in her hometown of Houston.
In October 2024, Levi's launched a four-part global campaign with Beyoncé titled "Reiimagine" that will stretch into 2025 and focus on women's history of the company, using Cowboy Carter track "Levii's Jeans".
In December 2024, Beyoncé reprised her role as Nala for Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel to the 2019 remake, and headlined the NFL Christmas Gameday Halftime Show.
In 2024, Beyoncé released the Americana epic Cowboy Carter, highlighting the contributions of Black pioneers to American musical and cultural history.
On February 1, 2025, the Cowboy Carter Tour was announced.