Beyoncé and Jay-Z are one of Hollywood's hottest power couples. The talented duo are known globally for their phenomenal contributions to the world of music, earning Beyoncé the famous moniker, Queen Bey. It's fair to say that the 56-time Grammy winners have established themselves among celeb royalty…
From their top-secret wedding to Jay-Z's widely reported affair, read on to discover the finer details of their very public relationship…
Jay-Z and Beyoncé first meet: 1999-2000
Beyoncé met Jay-Z in her teenage years. Speaking to Seventeen in 2008, the "Single Ladies" songstress revealed: "I was 18 when we first met, 19 when we first started dating… There was no rush – no one expected me to run off and get married."
© KMazurJay-Z was turning 30 when he met the starlet, but according to her their relationship was built on a strong foundation of friendship before they started dating.
In a candid chat with Oprah Winfrey, the star said: “We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates."
"Crazy in Love": 2003
By 2003, the talented pair were a global sensation thanks to their instant hits, "Crazy in Love" and "03' Bonnie and Clyde". Fast forward to 2004, and the new lovebirds hit headlines around the world with their loved-up VMAs appearance. Their romance was officially out in the public.
© Frank MicelottaAround this time, there were numerous rumors that the couple were married, or even engaged. Beyoncé hit back at these allegations in Vanity Fair: "I'm engaged and married at the same time?" While there were no signs of wedding bells, Jay-Z became a regular feature in Beyoncé's music, featuring on tracks on her 2006 album B'Day.
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The couple tie the knot: 2008
The smitten couple opted to keep details of their wedding out of the spotlight. They married in secret in 2008, without even telling fans that they were engaged. It was later revealed that the couple tied the knot on 4 April in a very intimate wedding ceremony.
© GettyOpening up about their big day, Jay-Z told Vibe magazine: "I just think it's really a part of your life that you gotta keep to yourself… You have to, or you'll go insane in this type of business.
"You have to have something that's sacred to you and the people around you… I shared so much of my life, my childhood, and my family, the death of my nephew with the world."
© GettyWhilst the duo have kept hush-hush about the more intimate details of their nuptials, the likes of Michelle Williams, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin featured on the duo's star-studded guestlist.
A stunning black and white snapshot showed the newly-weds joyously making their way down the aisle in front of cheering crowds. In terms of decorations, the star allegedly had 70,000 of her favourite flowers – white dendrobium orchids – flown in from Thailand.
Beyoncé's miscarriage: 2010
Beyoncé suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage two years prior to welcoming her first child. In an emotional interview with ELLE, the star explained: "I began to search for deeper meaning when life began to teach me lessons I didn't know I needed. I learned that all pain and loss is in fact a gift."
© Ronald Martinez"Having miscarriages taught me that I had to mother myself before I could be a mother to someone else."
Blue Ivy: 2012
Later in 2011 Beyoncé dropped a major bombshell: the star finally admitted that she was pregnant after much speculation. Sharing the news with her fans at the VMAs, the Halo songstress announced: "I want you to stand up on your feet. I want you to feel the love that's growing inside me."
© GettyThe star welcomed daughter Blue Ivy Carter in 2012. Whilst Beyoncé's daugher has enjoyed much of her childhood out of the spotlight, the youngster has made several red carpet appearances alongside her famous parents. Beyond this, Blue Ivy has starred on her parents' soundtracks and has even narrated Matthew A Cherry's storybook, Hair Love.
Touching on her life-changing motherhood experience, the 41-year-old later revealed: "Then I had Blue, and the quest for my purpose became so much deeper.
© Getty"I died and was reborn in my relationship, and the quest for self became even stronger. It's difficult for me to go backwards. Being 'number one' was no longer my priority."
© Kevin MazurBlue Ivy has since grown up a lot. At the age of 10 she bid $80,000 for diamond earrings, and in 2023 she made her debut performance as a dancer on Beyoncé's Renaissance tour.
Jay-Z's alleged affair: 2014-2016
News of Jay-Z's affair rocked the world in May 2014 when footage emerged of Beyoncé's sister – Solange Knowles – seemingly attacking the rapper in an elevator. At the time, the family released a statement which read: "The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false.
"At the end of the day, families have problems and we’re no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same."
© GettyIn April 2016, Beyoncé achieved 'icon' status when she dropped her bombshell visual album, Lemonade. At the time, the 'Beyhive' was abuzz with serious speculation regarding Beyoncé's cryptic lyrics. The infamous line, "Becky with the good hair," certainly set the internet alight…
Seemingly confirming his infidelity, Jay-Z released a song in June 2017 referencing his "shame". "I apologize, our love was one for ages and I contained us, and if my children knew, I don't even know what I would do / If they ain't look at me the same / I would prolly die with all the shame."
Despite a very public roller-coaster relationship, the duo appear to have moved on from their marriage woes. In June 2018, they released a joint album, Everything is Love, and in 2022, Beyoncé dedicated her Renaissance album to her beloved family.
On her website she penned: "I want to give a special thanks to Rumi, Sir, and Blue for allowing me the space, creativity, and inspiration. And a special thanks to my beautiful husband and muse, who held me down during those late nights in the studio."
Nine years married: 2017
Beyoncé celebrated nine years married to Jay-Z with a sweet Instagram montage expressing her love for the rapper.
Welcoming Sir and Rumi: 2017
In 2017 Beyoncé gave birth to twins Sir and Rumi. The star announced the arrival of her little ones via Instagram in a seriously sweet post. Sharing news of their safe arrival, she penned: "Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month today."
Fans and friends flocked to the comments section with messages of congratulations. "Simply beautiful," gushed one, while a second remarked: "Omg pure heaven. Absolutely beautiful."
Speaking on her 2018 Homecoming documentary, the singer opened up about welcoming twins. The Formation singer said: "I was supposed to do Coachella the year prior, but I got pregnant unexpectedly. And it ended up being twins which was even more of a surprise to me."
Beyoncé loves nothing more than being a mother and previously opened up about being a parent during a rare television interview on Good Morning America in 2019. She said: "Being a mother, my family is my biggest priority. It's not many films that the parents can come and feel the way I feel about The Lion King, and feel that and pass that legacy onto their kids."
Jay-Z defends Beyoncé at the Grammys: 2024
As Beyoncé received her flowers for 2023 album Renaissance, Jay-Z picked up the Dr Dre Global Impact Award - and he had some words for the Academy about their treatment of his wife's music. Despite winning more Grammys than anyone ever, Beyoncé has yet to be recognized in the heralded Album of the Year category - and the rapper didn't let it go unnoticed.
© Kevin Mazur"I don't want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn't work", he said at the ceremony.
Their net worth
Beyoncé's jaw-dropping net worth is thought to be around $500 million. And according to Forbes, Bey's husband's net worth exceeds $1 billion, bringing their combined net worth to an eye-watering $1.5 billion.
From her album sales alone, the singer has allegedly made a cool $30.5 million. As for her global tours, the singer is predicted to earn nearly $2.1 billion from her Renaissance World Tour.
© GettyBeyond this, Queen Bey has supplemented her income with an array of sponsorships and brand deals including a whopping $50 million deal with Pepsi in 2012. Over the years, the power couple have amassed a stunning property portfolio brimming with spectacular architectural gems.
Between them, Beyoncé and Jay-Z own several swanky homes in New York City, New Orleans and Los Angeles. Most recently, the musicians shelled out a staggering $200 million in cash for a modern mega-mansion in Malibu. Their palatial property is currently the most expensive home ever sold in the entire state of Califor
