Richard Lawson Reveals Why He Couldn’t Stay Married to Tina Lawson Anymore

Tina Knowles and Richard Lawson have officially finalized their divorce, marking the end of a relationship that many once thought was a true love story. While the couple publicly portrayed an amicable split, rumors suggest that their separation was anything but peaceful.

Reports indicate that behind closed doors, Richard had grown tired of the marriage and was planning to file for divorce himself—only for Tina to beat him to it. But what exactly led to their downfall? And were Tina and Richard romantically involved while she was still married to Beyoncé’s father, Mathew Knowles? Let’s dive into the drama behind their split.

A Love Story That Wasn’t So Perfect

Fans were shocked when news broke in 2023 that Tina and Richard were calling it quits. Their love story was one of companionship and support, seemingly built to last. They claimed they had been friends for over 30 years before taking their relationship to the next level. However, many fans started noticing red flags long before their divorce became public.

For one, whispers of an alleged affair between Tina and Richard while they were both still married have circulated for years. Mathew Knowles and Tina were together for nearly three decades, but their marriage was far from perfect. Mathew was accused of infidelity multiple times, even fathering two children outside of their marriage.

Tina, meanwhile, met Richard through her best friend, who happened to be Richard’s sister. Richard admitted that he was immediately captivated by Tina when they first met—even though she was pregnant with Beyoncé at the time. He was married with a daughter of his own but still claimed to have fallen in love with her at first sight. Tina, however, always insisted that she was never romantically involved with Richard while she was still married to Mathew.

But former Beyoncé vocal coach, David Brewer, has a different version of events. In his tell-all book, he claims to have caught Tina and Richard in a romantic moment at her house—while she was supposed to be at work. Tina allegedly introduced Richard as her “cousin,” a cover-up that raised many eyebrows.

The Marriage That Never Felt Right

After Mathew’s repeated infidelity scandals, Tina finally divorced him in 2011. Richard and Tina got married in 2015 in a lavish ceremony attended by close family and friends, including Beyoncé and Solange, who reportedly supported their mother’s new relationship. But despite the grand wedding, there were signs that things weren’t quite as perfect as they seemed.

One of the most glaring red flags was that Tina never changed her last name. Even after marrying Richard, she continued to use “Knowles,” a decision that many found strange given her ex-husband’s history of betrayal. Some speculated that she kept the name because of its association with her famous daughters, Beyoncé and Solange. Others felt that it was a sign that she wasn’t fully committed to her new marriage.

Then there was the way Tina spoke about Richard publicly. In one viral interview, she described him as having “a lot of qualities” she loved—but emphasized that he was far from perfect. The way she phrased it made it seem as though she had simply “settled” for him. Richard’s pained expression during the interview did not go unnoticed.

Was Richard Tired of Being Disrespected?

While Richard never publicly criticized Tina, fans noticed that she often seemed dismissive of his feelings. In an Instagram post, she shared a quote saying, “I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.” Many took this as a subtle jab at Richard, reinforcing the idea that she never viewed him as “good enough.”

Reports surfaced that their marriage had been strained for a while, and some insiders claimed that Richard had grown tired of feeling like a background character in Tina’s life.

The Divorce Settlement—And a Mysterious $300,000 Payment

Their divorce was finalized in early 2024, and while both parties agreed to split amicably, the financial details raised some questions. Tina was awarded multiple properties, including a home in Los Angeles and another in Texas. She also retained her book deal and a share in her beauty management company.

Richard, on the other hand, kept a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, his SAG pension plan, royalties, and creative works from their time together.

However, what shocked fans the most was that Tina was ordered to pay Richard a one-time payment of $300,000. Neither party had requested spousal support, so the reason for this payment remains unclear. Some speculate that it could be compensation for assets or damages related to their split.

Did Tina Push Richard Away?

Following the divorce, fans took to social media to share their thoughts. Many believed that Tina’s attitude and treatment of Richard contributed to the breakup. Some even suggested that Richard had always been a “rebound” and that Tina never truly loved him the way she did Mathew—despite Mathew’s infidelities.

One comment read, “She never truly saw him as an equal. She stayed with him because she didn’t want to be alone, but you could tell she never really respected him.”

Another person wrote, “Keeping the Knowles name while being married to another man was already a red flag. The way she publicly talked about him was even worse.”

Where Do They Go From Here?

Now that their marriage is over, both Tina and Richard seem to be focusing on their own paths. Tina remains active in her business ventures and continues to be a strong presence in her daughters’ lives. Richard, meanwhile, has kept a relatively low profile since the divorce, though fans suspect he might soon open up about what really went down.

Regardless of what happened behind closed doors, one thing is clear: Tina and Richard’s love story wasn’t the fairy tale many thought it was. Instead, it was a complicated relationship built on past wounds, public scrutiny, and possibly, unresolved feelings from decades ago.

What do you think? Was Tina too dismissive of Richard, or was their divorce simply inevitable? Let us know in the comments!