Beyoncé Reveals How Miscarriages Taught Her "Lessons I Didn't Know I Needed"

From Oprah Magazine

• Beyoncé Knowles-Carter opened up about music, motherhood, and success in the latest issue of Elle.

• During the interview, the Grammy winner also shared how suffering several miscarriages before the birth of Blue Ivy, her daughter with Jay-Z, altered her perspective.

While Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is a musical powerhouse and pop culture icon, she is also notoriously private. The actor, singer, director, producer, fashion designer, and mother of three rarely dishes on her personal life. But Beyoncé is opening up about her struggles and successes in the latest issue of Elle, including how several miscarriages affected her mindset and career.

“I began to search for deeper meaning when life began to teach me lessons I didn’t know I needed,” Beyoncé said when a fan asked if she was “disappointed [for] not winning” more accolades for Lemonade and Homecoming. "Success looks different to me now. I learned that all pain and loss is in fact a gift. Having miscarriages taught me that I had to mother myself before I could be a mother to someone else."

After the miscarriages, Beyoncé and Jay-Z went on to welcome three children: Blue Ivy, 7, and twins Rumi and Sir, 2. But motherhood (and loss) has had a profound impact on the award-winning singer.

"[After] I had Blue... the quest for my purpose became so much deeper," Beyoncé said. "I died and was reborn in my relationship, and the quest for self became even stronger."

"Being 'number one' was no longer my priority," she added. "My true win is creating art and a legacy that will live far beyond me. That’s fulfilling."

That said, Beyoncé admits finding balance can be tough.

"I think the most stressful thing for me is balancing work and life. Making sure I am present for my kids—dropping Blue off at school, taking Rumi and Sir to their activities, making time for date nights with my husband, and being home in time to have dinner with my family—all while running a company can be challenging. Juggling all of those roles can be stressful," Beyoncé said. "But I think that’s life for any working mom."

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