She’s the Queen B, he’s a rap legend. Together they make one of the most powerful pairs in celebrity history.
Over the last 20 years, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have seen it all. From the highs of career success and babies to the lows of infidelity, here’s a look into this private couple’s relationship.
1999-2000: The Bey-ginning
Bey and Jay met sometime in 1999-2000, when Beyoncé was only 18 years old and Jay 12 years her senior. They began dating over a year later. “We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates,” she told Oprah Winfrey in an interview. “We were on the phone for a year and a half, and that foundation is so important for a relationship. Just to have someone who you just like is so important, and someone [who] is honest.”
2004-2008: Baby, it’s you
The pair began creating music together, first releasing “’03 Bonnie & Clyde,” then “Crazy in Love”, before their relationship was public. They finally confirm rumours by making their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2004 MTV VMAs in Miami.
Throughout the years, the pair continue to collaborate on more music. However, they remain tight-lipped on their relationship. In 2018, the pair secretly wed in a lowkey ceremony at the rapper’s New York penthouse. Instead of exchanging rings, they got matching IV tattoos on their wedding fingers.
2010-2013: Highs and lows
Unfortunately, the pair suffered heartbreak when Beyoncé had a miscarriage in 2010. The singer opened up about the ordeal in her 2013 ‘Life Is But A Dream’ documentary.
“About two years ago, I was pregnant for the first time. And I heard the heartbeat, which was the most beautiful music I ever heard in my life. Being pregnant was very much like falling in love. You are so open. You are so overjoyed. There’s no words that can express having a baby growing inside of you, so of course you want to scream it out and tell everyone…I picked out names… I envisioned what my child would look like… I was feeling very maternal.. I flew back to New York to get my check up – and no heartbeat.”
In 2011 Beyoncé stunned the world when she announced her pregnancy at the MTV VMAs in L.A. In 2012, they welcomed daughter Blue Ivy Carter to the world.
2014: Elevatorgate
The couple had major drama with the slap heard around the world. After attending the Met Gala together, a video captured Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s sister Solange Knowles having a heated argument in an elevator, while Beyoncé watched on the side. Solange then attacked Jay-Z. Many speculate that the argument was about Jay-Z’s alleged infidelity.
While they never spoke about the reason for the altercation, the trio addressed the video in a joint statement.
“There has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it. Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologised to each other and we have moved forward as a united family,” read the statement.
2016: Lemons into Lemonade
In her sixth studio album, Lemonade, Beyoncé explored themes of infidelity and forgiveness, prompting many to believe it was about her husband’s betrayal. The track list featured songs like “Don’t Hurt Yourself”, “Hold Up” and “Sorry”, taking the listener through stages of grief, anger and denial.
2017: The twins
Beyoncé announces that she is pregnant with twins in an iconic Instagram picture that quickly became the most liked image.
“We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over. We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes. – The Carters”, they captioned the image.
Beyoncé gave birth to twins Rumi and Sir in June later that same year.
In the same year, Jay-Z released his album 4:44, in which he addresses cheating on Beyoncé in the past.
In an interview with T Magazine, he opened up about the betrayal.
“You know, most people walk away, and like divorce rate is like 50 percent or something ’cause most people can’t see themselves. The hardest thing is seeing pain on someone’s face that you caused, and then have to deal with yourself,” he said. “So, you know, most people don’t want to do that. You don’t want to look inside yourself. And so you walk away.”
2018: Everything is Love
The couple seem to have worked through their issues and have come out stronger than ever. In 2018, they release their joint album Everything is Love in celebration of the triumphs and failures they’ve experienced, both together and personally.
Feature image: Instagram / Beyoncé
