Beyonce Knowles poses backstage during MTV's 'Total Request Live' at the MTV Times Square Studios Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006 in New York. Beyonce stars in the upcoming film 'Dreamgirls' which will be released nationwide on Dec. 25, 2006. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Beyonce Knowles has admitted she wants to marry Jay-Z.

The singer-and-actress, who has been dating the rapper for around four years, has been inspired to tie the knot by her parents, Matthew and Tina, who have been happily married for 27 years.

As well as getting married, Beyonce also wants to have a baby with Jay-Z.

She told Parade magazine: "Of course I want to get married. My parents have been married for 27 years, and they're still in love. That's a great example for me. I know it's possible. I think about the future, I want to have a family. I want to be happy."

The 25-year-old star, who was wrongly reported to be planning to wed Jay-Z on a yacht in the Caribbean earlier this month, also insists family and friends are the most important thing in her life, not fame and money.

She added: "I know what happiness is. It's family and friends, love, focusing on the positive things and appreciating how wonderful life is. I'll always have that even if everything else, my films and music, went away. I know how blessed I am."