Mathew Knowles

Early life

Born into the small rural community of Gadsden, Alabama, Mathew Knowles grew up in the segregated South. Education and ambition provided a way to rise above the challenging early years, and in 1974 he graduated from Nashville’s Fisk University with twin degrees in economics and business administration. Knowles possesses an MBA in Strategic Planning and Organizational Culture and a PhD in Business Administration from Cornerstone Christian Bible College.

Career

Drawing upon his educational background, natural people talent and abilities as a speaker and presenter, Mathew Knowles began his career as a highly successful sales professional. At Xerox Medical Systems, he was named the organization’s number one salesperson for multiple years in a row during his tenure at the company. His storied corporate career also included success as an MRI & CT sales specialist at Philips Medical Systems and a neuro surgical specialist at Johnson & Johnson.

By 1992, he was ready to strike out on his own in the music industry, by founding Music World Entertainment.

He began working as the manager and executive producer for Destiny’s Child, the successful musical group that included his daughter Beyoncé. He was the strategic mastermind to Destiny’s Child’s meteoric rise to record-breaking success.

Mathew Knowles arranged a deal for the group with Columbia Records, and with the producers of the movie Men in Black, which featured a Destiny’s Child song on its soundtrack. He was also executive producer for Obsessed, the 2009 movie starring Beyoncé.

Mathew Knowles also worked with other top producers, such as Wyclef Jean, Jermaine Dupri and Master P, to expand the musical range of Destiny’s Child and build an ever-larger fan base. The group was named one of the All Time Hot 100 Artists by Billboard magazine.

Mathew Knowles also served as manager for Destiny’s Child members Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland in their subsequent solo careers.

Mathew Knowles is the prime force behind the newly formed Music World TV, Film & Media, a premier music, film and television production brand. One of his current projects is a film titled The Mathew Knowles Story, which is a biopic about Knowles’ life.

With over $5 billion generated across multiple industries, more than $100 million in sales and acquisitions, and the development, recording and distribution of some of culture’s most notable careers such as Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child, Earth, Wind & Fire, Solange, and many more, Mathew Knowles stands as a pillar for corporate, entrepreneurial, and black success.

Net Worth

Estimated at $27 million.

Achievement

Under his guidance, Destiny’s Child won a range of awards in the 90s, including a Grammy Award, an American Music Award and several BET Awards.

Beyond this work in the music industry, Mathew Knowles has starred in two reality television shows and is the author of several books, including The DNA Of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals.

An engaging speaker and lecturer, Knowles speaks globally at corporations, conferences, and associations in the areas of business, sales & marketing, leadership, diversity, overcoming adversity, surviving and thriving after cancer, the music industry, entrepreneurship and more.

He has also been highly involved in academia, teaching and speaking at highly prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Berklee, Cornell, Pepperdine, and the London College of Contemporary Music to name a few.

Mathew Knowles' professional insights and expert digital content have been recognized by organizations like LinkedIn, where he's been named a "LinkedIn Top Voice," a distinction reserved for the world's foremost authorities in their fields such as Bill Gates, Arianna Huffington, and Richard Branson.