by: Dr. Boyce Watkins
In this Financial Lovemaking episode, I speak with Ebony Magazine Entertainment Editor S. Tia Brown about the possible divorce between Beyonce and Jay-Z. The family recently came on stage together during the VMA awards, and some think that it was a publicity stunt to give the impression that the two were doing well, despite recent rumors of marital difficutlies.
This led us to go down the rabbit hole of conversation to ask just how a person goes about balancing love and money when the value of these two precious commodities starts to collide. Jay-Z and Beyonce’s marriage is a perfect prototype for Financial Lovemaking lessons, primarily because it’s nearly impossible to discuss their marriage without talking about their billion dollars in wealth.
As their financial and emotional wealth start to conflict with one another, one has to wonder if the couple is going to consider splitting as a key to happiness, or if they are going to allow their money to be the force that keeps them together. Throughout history, rich and powerful couples have remained married as a source of power and survival, so marrying for love is not a global nor historical idea. In fact, some might say it’s a luxury that Americans have just been able to afford.
There are actually quite a few lessons from the Beyonce-Jay Z experience that can apply to our own lives. So, as we have fun talking about this popular topic, there is an opportunity to use this story as a microcosmic exploration into the forces that determine our own emotional fates.
I totally screwed up the title and we stumbled through our words a bit, but the conversation is a lot of fun and very interesting. I hope you enjoy the discussion.