Early Life and Education of Adele: A Complete Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Adele, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, known as Adele, is a highly acclaimed English singer-songwriter. Recognized as a British icon, she is celebrated for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and emotionally resonant songwriting. Throughout her career, she has amassed numerous prestigious awards, including multiple Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, solidifying her status as one of the most successful and influential artists of her generation.
1997: Relocation to Brighton
In 1997, at the age of 9, Adele and her mother relocated to Brighton on the south coast of England, marking a change in their living environment.
1999: Return to London
In 1999, Adele and her mother moved back to London, residing first in Brixton and then in West Norwood, which inspired her first song, "Hometown Glory."
2002: Discovery of Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald
In 2002, at age 14, Adele discovered Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald in a local music store, which influenced her own voice.
2003: Inspiration from Amy Winehouse
In 2003, Adele was inspired by Amy Winehouse's album Frank to take up the guitar.
May 2006: Graduation from BRIT School
In May 2006, Adele graduated from the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology in Croydon, marking the completion of her formal arts education.
2006: Graduation and Record Deal
In 2006, Adele graduated from the BRIT School and signed a record deal with XL Recordings, marking the start of her professional music career.
2007: Adele Performs at Little Noise Sessions
In 2007, Adele performed at the Little Noise Sessions held at London's Union Chapel, with proceeds from the concerts donated to Mencap which works with people with learning disabilities.
November 2008: Move to Notting Hill
In November 2008, Adele moved to Notting Hill, London, after leaving her mother's house, a move that prompted her to give up drinking.
November 2008: Adele Performs at Keep a Child Alive Black Ball in New York City
In November 2008, Adele performed at the Keep a Child Alive Black Ball in New York City.
February 2009: Adele Performs at MusiCares Charity Concert
In February 2009, Adele performed at the 2009 MusiCares charity concert in Los Angeles, supporting musicians in need.
September 2009: Adele Performs at VH1 Divas Event
On 17 September 2009, Adele performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, for the VH1 Divas event, a concert to raise money for the Save The Music Foundation charity.
October 2011: Vocal Cord Issues and Tour Cancellations
In October 2011, Adele was forced to cancel two tours due to a vocal-cord haemorrhage, requiring an extended period of rest to prevent permanent damage to her voice.
November 2011: Vocal Cord Surgery and Album Release
In November 2011, Adele underwent laser microsurgery on her vocal cords, and she released a recording of her tour, "Live at the Royal Albert Hall", which debuted at number one in the US. The album was the best-selling music DVD of 2011.
2011: Adele Donates to MusiCares
In 2011, Adele donated autographed items for auctions to support MusiCares.
2011: Adele Gives Free Concert for Pride London and Participates in Comic Relief
In 2011, Adele gave a free concert for Pride London, a registered charity which arranges LGBT events in London. The same year, Adele took part in the UK charity telethon Comic Relief for Red Nose Day 2011, performing "Someone like You".
2011: Adele Backs Labour Party and Criticizes Taxes
In 2011, Adele publicly supported the Labour Party, identifying as a "Labour girl". During an interview that year, she voiced criticism of the Conservative Party and expressed frustration over high taxes, particularly regarding the NHS, public transport, and state education.
2011: Creation of "Sasha Carter" Alter Ego
In 2011, Adele revealed in a Rolling Stone cover story that she created an alter ego named "Sasha Carter" to cope with onstage anxiety, drawing inspiration from Beyoncé's "Sasha Fierce".
2011: Favorite Album
In a 2011 interview, Adele deemed Lauryn Hill's record The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as her favorite album, while also stating "I was analyzing the record for about a month at the age of 8, I was constantly wondering when I would be that passionate about something, to write a record about it, even though I didn't know I was going to make a record when I was older"
2012: Adele Purchases Art Deco Villa
In 2012, Adele and then-partner Konecki purchased a $3.4 million Art Deco villa in Portslade, on the outskirts of Brighton and Hove.
2012: Adele Continues Supporting MusiCares
In 2012, Adele continued to support MusiCares by donating autographed items for auctions, aiding musicians in need.
2013: Adele Rents Paul McCartney's Former Mansion
In 2013, Adele temporarily rented Paul McCartney's 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m) former mansion for an undisclosed price.
July 2014: Privacy case
In July 2014, Adele accepted damages from a photo agency that published paparazzi images of their son taken during family outings in 2013.
2015: Adele Declines Endorsement Offers and Reports Tax Payment
In 2015, Adele declined lucrative endorsement offers and reported paying £4 million in tax in the UK.
2015: Adele Buys Vacation Mansion in Malibu
In 2015, Adele purchased a $5.2 million Mediterranean-style vacation mansion in Malibu, California.
2015: Brockwell Park Memory
In 2015, Adele reflected on her youth spent in Brockwell Park, where she would play guitar and sing to friends, reminiscing about significant moments in her life that occurred there. She expressed missing it deeply.
2015: Stating she's a feminist
In 2015, Adele stated, "I'm a feminist, I believe that everyone should be treated the same, including race and sexuality".
September 2016: Adele Rents Apartment During Madison Square Garden Tour
During her Madison Square Garden tour in September 2016, Adele rented NBA player Deron Williams' Tribeca apartment for three weeks at a monthly rent of $60,000.
June 2017: Adele Attends Grenfell Tower Vigil and Visits Firefighters
In June 2017, Adele attended a vigil in west London for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. Days later, she visited Chelsea fire station with cakes for the firefighters and paid tribute to the victims at her Wembley show on 28 June, encouraging fans to donate.
2017: Adele and Konecki Purchase Tudor Mansion
In 2017, Adele and Konecki purchased a $5.3 million Tudor mansion called Ridge Hill Manor, located in the English countryside on the outskirts of East Grinstead.
January 2018: Officiating Alan Carr's Wedding
In January 2018, Adele became an ordained minister to officiate at the wedding of Alan Carr and Paul Drayton.
2018: Marriage to Simon Konecki
In 2018, Adele married Simon Konecki and separated the same year.
April 2019: Confirmation of Separation
In April 2019, Adele's representatives confirmed her separation from Simon Konecki.
September 2019: Filing for Divorce
On 13 September 2019, Adele filed for divorce from Simon Konecki.
2019: Adele Buys Beverly Hills Mansion
In 2019, Adele bought another Beverly Hills mansion for $10.65 million.
March 2021: Divorce Finalized
In March 2021, Adele's divorce from Simon Konecki was finalized.
2021: Adele Purchases Another Beverly Hills Mansion
In 2021, Adele bought another Beverly Hills mansion for $10 million; the latter was purchased from Nicole Richie and her husband, Joel Madden.
February 2022: Adele Buys Sylvester Stallone's Former Mansion
In February 2022, it was reported that Adele had bought Sylvester Stallone's 21,000-square-foot (2,000 m) former mansion in Beverly Park, Los Angeles, for $58 million.
October 2023: Adele reveals she's Sober
On 14 October 2023, Adele revealed that she had been sober for three months.
July 2024: Announcing indefinite break from music
On July 16, 2024, Adele revealed she would be taking an indefinite break from music after her residency, with no plans for a new album.
August 2024: Engagement to Rich Paul
On August 9, 2024, Adele revealed her engagement to Rich Paul during a performance in Munich.
