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 professionally 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, which often explores themes of love, loss, and heartbreak. Her career is marked by extraordinary success and 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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1979: Kate Bush's Only Tour

In 2014, Adele stated that the release of 25 and her own comeback was inspired by the enigmatic Kate Bush who in 2014 made a comeback to the stage 35 years after her last live shows from her only tour in 1979.

May 1988: Adele's Birth

In May 1988, Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born in Tottenham, London, to Penny Adkins and Marc Evans.

1997: Relocation to Brighton

In 1997, 9-year-old Adele and her mother relocated to Brighton on the south coast of England, where her mother worked as a furniture maker and an adult-learning activities organiser.

1998: Influence of Madonna's Ray of Light

Adele cited Madonna's 1998 album Ray of Light as a "chief inspiration" for her album 25.

1999: Return to London

In 1999, Adele and her mother moved back to London, first to Brixton, then to West Norwood. This move 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 the jazz section of her local music store, which she credits with helping her find her own voice.

2003: Inspiration from Amy Winehouse's Frank

In 2003, Adele was inspired by Amy Winehouse and her album Frank to take up the guitar, which influenced her songwriting.

May 2006: Graduation from BRIT School

In May 2006, Adele graduated from the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology in Croydon, where she was classmates with Leona Lewis and Jessie J.

November 2008: Move to Notting Hill

In November 2008, Adele moved to Notting Hill, London, after leaving her mother's house. This move prompted her to give up drinking.

2008: An Evening with Adele Tour

Adele's second album, 21, was further inspired by American country and Southern blues music to which she had been exposed during her 2008–09 tour An Evening with Adele in North America.

October 2011: Vocal Cord Hemorrhage and Tour Cancellations

In October 2011, Adele was forced to cancel two tours due to a vocal-cord hemorrhage, requiring an extended period of rest to avoid permanent damage to her voice.

November 2011: Vocal Cord Surgery and Release of Live at the Royal Albert Hall

In November 2011, Adele underwent laser microsurgery on her vocal cords to remove a benign polyp. Also in November 2011, she released a recording of her tour, Live at the Royal Albert Hall, which debuted at number one in the US.

2011: Start of Relationship with Simon Konecki

In 2011, Adele began a relationship with charity entrepreneur Simon Konecki.

2011: Political Views and Tax Comments

In 2011, Adele expressed her support for the Labour Party, identifying as a "Labour girl". In the same year, Adele faced backlash for comments made during an interview with Q magazine regarding paying taxes.

2011: Adoption of Alter Ego 'Sasha Carter'

In 2011, Adele revealed she dealt with onstage anxiety by creating the alter ego "Sasha Carter", inspired by Beyoncé's "Sasha Fierce" and June Carter, to help her perform more confidently.

2011: Influence of Lauryn Hill

In a 2011 interview, Adele deemed Hill's record The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as her favourite 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"; while also thanking Hill "for existing" in a penned letter, that she dedicated in honour of the 20th anniversary of Hill's album.

2012: Birth of Son

In 2012, Adele and Simon Konecki's son was born.

2012: Art Deco Villa Purchase

In 2012, Adele and then-partner Konecki purchased a $3.4 million Art Deco villa in Portslade, on the outskirts of Brighton and Hove.

2013: Privacy Case Against Photo Agency

In 2013, Adele and Simon Konecki brought a privacy case against a UK-based photo agency that published intrusive paparazzi images of their son.

2013: Rented Paul McCartney's Mansion

In 2013, Adele temporarily rented Paul McCartney's 12,000-square-foot former mansion for an undisclosed price.

July 2014: Privacy Case Settlement

In July 2014, Adele and Simon Konecki accepted damages from a UK-based photo agency that published intrusive paparazzi images of their son.

2014: Inspired by Kate Bush's Comeback

Adele stated that the release of 25 and her own comeback was inspired by the enigmatic Kate Bush who in 2014 made a comeback to the stage 35 years after her last live shows from her only tour in 1979.

2015: Endorsement Decisions and Tax Payments

In 2015, Adele declined lucrative endorsement offers. She also reported paying £4 million in tax in the UK.

2015: Malibu Mansion Purchase

In 2015, Adele purchased a $5.2 million Mediterranean-style vacation mansion in Malibu, California.

2015: Reflection on Brockwell Park

In 2015, Adele recalled spending much of her youth in Brockwell Park, a place of significant moments in her life, which inspired her song "Million Years Ago".

2015: Feminist Views

In 2015, Adele stated that she is a feminist and believes everyone should be treated the same, including race and sexuality.

June 2016: Dedication to Orlando Shooting Victims

On 12 June 2016, Adele dedicated her show in Antwerp, Belgium, to the victims of the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, expressing solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

September 2016: Tribeca Apartment Rental

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: Grenfell Tower Vigil and Fire Station Visit

In June 2017, Adele attended a vigil for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in west London. Four days later, she visited Chelsea fire station, bringing cakes for the firefighters and participating in a minute's silence.

2017: Tudor Mansion Purchase and Malibu Mansion Sale

In 2017, Adele and Konecki purchased a $5.3 million Tudor mansion called Ridge Hill Manor. She sold her Malibu vacation mansion for less than its original purchase price, $4.8 million.

2017: Beyoncé as 'Artist of My Life'

In 2017, Adele described Beyoncé as a particular inspiration, calling her "[the] artist of my life" and added "the other artists who mean that much to me are all dead."

January 2018: Officiates Alan Carr's Wedding

In January 2018, Adele became an ordained minister and officiated the wedding of comedian Alan Carr and Paul Drayton, held in the garden of her house in Los Angeles, California.

2018: Marriage and Separation

In 2018, Adele married Simon Konecki and separated from him the same year, as revealed in a later interview.

April 2019: Adele Announces Separation

In April 2019, Adele's representatives confirmed her separation from Simon Konecki via Associated Press, stating that they would continue to raise their son together.

May 2019: Adele's 31st Birthday Instagram Post

On 5 May 2019, Adele celebrated her 31st birthday by posting black-and-white pictures on Instagram and hinting that her upcoming album "30" would be a drum n bass record.

September 2019: Adele Files for Divorce

On 13 September 2019, Adele filed for divorce from Simon Konecki.

2019: Beverly Hills Mansion Purchase

In 2019, Adele bought another Beverly Hills mansion for $10.65 million.

February 2020: Album Announcement at Friend's Wedding

In February 2020, Adele announced at a friend's wedding that her fourth studio album would be released by September 2020.

March 2021: Divorce Finalized

In March 2021, Adele's divorce from Simon Konecki was finalized.

2021: Beverly Hills Mansion Purchase from Nicole Richie

In 2021, Adele bought another Beverly Hills mansions for $10 million, purchased from Nicole Richie and her husband, Joel Madden.

February 2022: Purchase of Sylvester Stallone's 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: Sober Revelation

On 14 October 2023, during a Weekends with Adele concert residency, Adele revealed she had suffered from "borderline alcoholism" since her 20s and had been sober for three months.

July 2024: Indefinite Break Announcement

On 16 July 2024, Adele revealed in an interview that she would be taking an indefinite break from music following the end of her residency, with no plans for a new album at that time.