Jay-Z, Beyoncé and the question the internet is asking.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z's relationship has been a subject of public fascination for more than two decades, marked by a mix of collaboration, controversy, and resilience.

From their early partnerships, like the hit song '03 Bonnie & Clyde,' to their marriage and family life, their personal journey has often played out in the public eye. 

While their bond has faced intense scrutiny, including moments of infidelity and public tension, they've frequently addressed their struggles through their music, with albums like Lemonade and 4:44 offering a glimpse into their private lives. 

Off the back of a civil lawsuit filed that alleged Jay-Z raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000, people on the internet have started digging through old interviews. The one question they are asking in particular is, how old was Beyoncé when she first met Jay-Z?

The answer is complicated. There are countless threads dedicated to conspiracies around this on X (Twitter), as fans dig up old interviews and comments on the topic.

In interviews with Oprah Winfrey and Seventeen magazine, Beyoncé has claimed she was 18 when they met and 19 when when they began dating.

But in a 2007 interview with Charlie Rose, Jay-Z said he met Beyoncé in 1997, which suggests his future-wife was 16 when they crossed paths.

A new photo of Jay-Z with Beyoncé and her Destiny's Child band-mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams has resurfaced. The image was reportedly taken on the set of their music video for No, No, No when she was 16.

Another photo, captured on January 31, 1998, when she was still 16, has also emerged. The rapper was seen attending a Destinty's Child concert in the Prime Time 21 nightclub.

In a 2013 Instagram caption, Jay also wrote the "first time I laid eyes on her she was 16. I had thought in my head "she will be mine", became my best friend… 20 years old, it was time."

So, all in all the pair have claimed a few different versions over time — though it's clear through their statements that they met and were friends before dating.

Beyonce and Jay Z, pictured in 2002, were friends first. Image: Getty.

Their relationship has undoubtedly influenced their careers, and it has become one of the most high-profile and talked-about partnerships in the music industry.

Jay-Z denies the rape allegations and describes "heartbreak" for his family.

Following accusations that he raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000 with Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z issued a statement denying the claims, describing them as "heinous in nature".

In the lengthy response, Jay-Z also referenced his own family and shared his disappointment at having to explain the situation to his children.

"My only heartbreak is for my family," he wrote.

"My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people."

pic.twitter.com/jl8sgOllCM

— Roc Nation (@RocNation) December 9, 2024

Jay-Z calls out the Grammys for snubbing Beyoncé for Album of the Year, February 2024.

While accepting the 2nd annual Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Jay-Z took the moment to defend his wife and criticise the Grammys. He slammed the voting process and questioned why Beyoncé has never won album of the year, despite setting the record for the most Grammys won. 

"But, you know, some things — I don't want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn't work. Think about that. The most Grammys, never won album of the year. That doesn't work," he said. 

Jay-z Calls Out The Grammys For Snubbing Beyoncé. Article continues after video.

Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy attend the opening night of the Renaissance World Tour, April 2023. 

Beyoncé's 2023 Renaissance World Tour began in Stockholm, Sweden, and both Jay-Z and their daughter Blue Ivy were there to support her on the opening night. 

Fans shared multiple videos of the two in attendance, who were caught singing along to the songs. 

🪩 | Blue Ivy and JAY-Z at the Friends Arena pic.twitter.com/LGVBle8XX0

— Beyoncé Press. (@beyoncepress) May 10, 2023

Jay-Z admits to being unfaithful to Beyoncé, November 2017. 

In November 2017, Jay-Z spoke to T: The New York Times Style Magazine and confirmed the cheating allegations. Following the release of Beyoncé's Lemonade album — which alluded to her husband's infidelity in songs like 'Sorry' — rumours of cheating continued to follow Jay-Z.

"You know, most people walk away, and like divorce rate is like 50 per cent 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."

Beyoncé and Jay-Z welcome twins, June 2017. 

Beyoncé first shared news of her pregnancy with twins in February 2017, uploading an instantly iconic photo of herself cradling her belly. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)

"We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over," she wrote in the caption. "We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes. – The Carters."

And in June 2017, they welcomed Rumi and Sir into the world. 

Beyoncé releases the Lemonade album which causes infidelity rumours, August 2016. 

After the release of Beyoncé's Lemonade album, which included songs alluding to infidelity, many speculated that the singer's personal life was the inspiration behind the emotionally charged lyrics.

Fans and media outlets alike quickly began to connect the dots, with rumours swirling about her marriage to Jay-Z and his infidelity during their relationship. 

Notably, the lyric "He better call Becky with the good hair" from the song 'Sorry' sent the internet into detective mode, as they tried to work out who the real 'Becky' was.

Jay-Z and Solange's altercation in the elevator, May 2014. 

Following the Met Gala after party in 2014, security footage was leaked showing Beyoncé's sister Solange physically attacking Jay-Z in the elevator as Beyoncé looked on.

The three of them eventually released a statement addressing the situation, but declined to offer any details about the catalyst for the fight.

"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," it read. 

Beyoncé and Jay-Z welcome their first child together, January 2012. 

Jay-Z and Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, was born in January 2012 in New York City. 

Beyoncé later shared that Blue Ivy was not the first child she was pregnant with. In her 2013 HBO documentary Life Is But a Dream, she opened up about her miscarriage. 

Blue Ivy was born in January 2012. Image: Getty.

"About two years ago, I was pregnant for the first time," she said. 

"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 flew back to New York to get my check up — and no heartbeat. Literally the week before I went to the doctor, everything was fine, but there was no heartbeat."

Jay-Z and Beyoncé tie the knot, April 2008. 

After years together, Jay-Z and Beyoncé got married in a private ceremony in 2008. While the wedding itself was kept under wraps, Beyoncé did speak about the entire celebration later on. 

"There was no rush — no one expected me to run off and get married," she told Seventeen. 

"I really don't believe that you will love the same thing when you're 20 as you do at 30. So that was my rule: Before the age of 25, I would never get married. I feel like you have to get to know yourself, know what you want, spend some time by yourself, and be proud of who you are before you can share that with someone else."

They tied the knot in 2008. Image: YouTube/Beyoncé.

In September 2008, Jay-Z also confirmed the wedding to Vibe. Speaking about why they kept it a secret at the time, Jay-Z spoke about the importance of having "something to hold onto" as someone in the public eye.

"That's ridiculous for me to confirm," he told the mag.

"I don't have … I'm gonna say, I think that was a ridiculous question. 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. I should have something to hold on to."

Their first red carpet appearance, August 2004. 

While they had been dating for several years at this point, the couple made their first official red carpet appearance together for the 2004 MTV VMAs in Miami. Beyoncé wore a gold two-piece set while Jay-Z wore a white suit.

Jay-Z and Beyonce made their first red carpet appearance in 2004. Image: Getty.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé first collaborate on '03 Bonnie and Clyde', October 2002. 

For a couple that has become so known for their music and business collaborations, their first endeavour into the music world together was already a huge hit, and was even nominated for best hip-hop video at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. 

In October 2002, Jay-Z released '03 Bonnie and Clyde' which featured Beyoncé. The two filmed the music video for the song in Mexico.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé on the cover of Vanity Fair, November 2001. 

Jay-Z and Beyoncé first met when she was 18 years old. Image: Getty.

Soon after they started dating, Jay-Z and Beyoncé appeared together on the cover of Vanity Fair in their November 2001 music issue. 

"She's a charming Southern girl, you know, she's not impressed... But I would have definitely had to be this cool," Jay-Z said about Beyoncé to the magazine. 

Jay-Z and Beyoncé start dating, 2000 - 2001. 

The beginning of Jay-Z and Beyoncé's relationship remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. However, during an interview with Seventeen, Beyoncé revealed that she and Jay-Z first met when she was 18-years old and he was 30, which would have been between 1999 to 2000. She later confirmed that they started dating a year and a half later. 

"We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates," she told Oprah Winfrey during an OWN 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."

Of course, with the recent headlines fans have been circulating images they believe prove the pair met when Beyoncé was 16. The pair have not commented on those reports.

Feature image: Getty.

This article was originally published on December 9, 2024 and has since been updated with new information.