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.
In February 2011, following her performance at the Brit Awards, Adele became the first living artist since the Beatles in 1964 to have two top-five hits in both the Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously. Adele was compared to the beatles.
In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". This is the first James Bond song to win and the fifth to be nominated—after "The Look of Love" (1967).
In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". This is the first James Bond song to win and the fifth to be nominated—after "Live and Let Die" (1973).
In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". This is the first James Bond song to win and the fifth to be nominated—after "Nobody Does It Better" (1977).
In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". This is the first James Bond song to win and the fifth to be nominated—after "For Your Eyes Only" (1981).
In March 2012, Adele's album '21' spent its 23rd week at number one making it the longest-running album at number one since 1985.
In 1991, Nielsen began monitoring sales.
In February 2012, Following her success in 2012 Grammy Awards, 21 achieved the biggest weekly sales increase following a Grammy win since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991
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.
In 1998, Madonna's album Ray of Light was released and later cited as a "chief inspiration" for her album 25.
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."
In 2002, at age 14, Adele discovered Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald in a local music store, which influenced her own voice.
In 2003, Adele was inspired by Amy Winehouse's album Frank to take up the guitar.
In May 2006, Adele graduated from the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology in Croydon, marking the completion of her formal arts education.
In June 2006, Jonathan Dickins at September Management became Adele's official representative, marking a significant step in her professional career.
In September 2006, Adele signed with XL Recordings, solidifying her entry into the music industry.
In 2006, Adele graduated from the BRIT School and signed a record deal with XL Recordings, marking the start of her professional music career.
In June 2007, Adele made her television debut, performing "Daydreamer" on the BBC's Later... with Jools Holland, marking her first major public performance.
In October 2007, Adele's song "Hometown Glory", which she wrote at age 16, was released, marking her breakthrough into the music scene.
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.
In January 2008, Adele was named the number-one predicted breakthrough act in a BBC poll and released her second single, "Chasing Pavements", which reached number two on the UK chart. She was also awarded the Brit Awards Critics' Choice.
In March 2008, Adele signed a deal with Columbia Records and XL Recordings for her foray into the United States, and she embarked on a short North American tour.
In May 2008, Adele began "An Evening with Adele" world tour, marking a significant step in her global career.
In October 2008, Adele appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, which coincided with an appearance by Sarah Palin and led to a significant boost in sales of her album and singles.
In November 2008, Adele moved to Notting Hill, London, after leaving her mother's house, a move that prompted her to give up drinking.
In November 2008, Adele performed at the Keep a Child Alive Black Ball in New York City.
In 2008, Adele released her debut album, "19", which featured hit singles and became one of the best-selling debut albums in the UK. The album included "Chasing Pavements" and "Make You Feel My Love".
In 2008, Adele went on tour in North America, which influenced her second album, 21.
In 2008, Adele's singing received acclaim from music critics.
In February 2009, Adele performed at the 2009 MusiCares charity concert in Los Angeles, supporting musicians in need.
In February 2009, Adele won two Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Chasing Pavements."
In June 2009, Adele discussed her decision to cancel 2008 US tour dates to be with a former boyfriend, describing it as an 'early life crisis' and acknowledging her struggles with drinking and homesickness.
In June 2009, Adele's "An Evening with Adele" world tour came to an end, concluding a significant chapter in her early career.
By July 2009, Adele's debut album "19" had sold 2.2 million copies worldwide, marking a significant milestone in her early career.
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.
In 2009, 21-year-old Adele won the Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. She was also nominated in the categories of Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Then British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent a thank-you letter to Adele.
In 2010, Adele received a Grammy nomination for "Hometown Glory," and her song "My Same" gained popularity in Germany. Additionally, her version of "Make You Feel My Love" re-entered the UK charts. She also performed a widely publicised duet of Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" with Darius Rucker during the 2010 CMT Artists of the Year special.
In 2010, Adele's 21 or 19 albums were very popular in the UK and at one stage a copy was sold every 7 seconds.
In January 2011, Adele released her second studio album, "21", in the UK, inspired by a breakup and influenced by country and roots music.
Between May 2011 and May 2012, Adele earned £23 million.
In May 2011, "Team Adele" was ranked number one on The Guardian's "Music Power 100" list: "the 100 most influential people in the music industry".
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.
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.
By December 2011, Adele's album "21" had sold over 3.4 million copies in the UK and became the biggest-selling album of the 21st century, surpassing Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black."
Adele's album, 21, was the best-selling album worldwide of 2011.
In 2011, Adele began a relationship with Simon Konecki.
In 2011, Adele donated autographed items for auctions to support MusiCares.
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".
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.
In 2011, Adele released her second studio album, "21", which became the best-selling album of the 21st century. The album topped charts worldwide and featured hit singles like "Rolling in the Deep", "Someone like You", and "Set Fire to the Rain".
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".
In 2011, Billboard credited Adele for reviving the music industry, highlighting her unique presence, talent, and relatable personality.
In 2012, Adele received the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year, and "Rolling in the Deep" won the award for Most Performed Work of 2011.
In November 2015, Adele's 2016 tour was announced, her first tour since 2011.
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"
In February 2012, Adele was listed at number five on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music, highlighting her significant impact and influence in the music industry.
In March 2012, Adele's album '21' reached 30 non-consecutive weeks at number one on the Australian ARIA Chart, making it the longest-running number one album in Australia in the 21st century, and the second longest-running number one ever.
In the week ending 3 March 2012, Adele became the first solo female artist to have three singles in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. Billboard also announced the same day that Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" is the biggest crossover hit of the past 25 years.
In April 2012, Adele confirmed her third album would likely be at least two years away, wanting to "live a little bit". She stated she would continue writing and composing her own material.
In April 2012, Time magazine named Adele one of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing her global impact and cultural significance.
Between May 2011 and May 2012, Adele earned £23 million.
In July 2012, Adele was ranked sixth on Forbes list of the world's highest-paid celebrities under 30, having earned £23 million between May 2011 and May 2012.
In October 2012, Adele confirmed she wrote, composed, and recorded the theme song for the James Bond film, Skyfall, in collaboration with Paul Epworth at Abbey Road Studios.
In December 2012, Adele was named Billboard Artist of the Year, and her album 21 was named Album of the Year. The Associated Press also named Adele Entertainer of the Year in 2012.
In 2012, Adele and Simon Konecki's son was born.
In 2012, Adele and then-partner Konecki purchased a $3.4 million Art Deco villa in Portslade, on the outskirts of Brighton and Hove.
In 2012, Adele continued to support MusiCares by donating autographed items for auctions, aiding musicians in need.
In 2012, Adele made her live comeback at the Grammy Awards and won in all six categories she was nominated for. 21 was also the best-selling album worldwide of 2012.
In 2012, Adele received the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year, and "Rolling in the Deep" won the award for Most Performed Work of 2011. At the 2012 BMI Awards held in London in October, Adele won Song of the Year (for "Rolling in the Deep")
In 2012, Adele released "Skyfall", the soundtrack for the James Bond film of the same name. "Skyfall" earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
In February 2013, Adele was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK by Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4.
In June 2013, Adele was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for her services to music.
In September 2013, Wiz Khalifa confirmed that he and Adele had collaborated on a song for his fifth studio album, Blacc Hollywood, though the collaboration did not make the final track listing.
On December 19, 2013, Adele received her MBE award from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
At the 2013 Grammy Awards, Adele confirmed she was in the very early stages of her third album and would likely work with Paul Epworth again.
At the 2013 Grammy Awards, Adele's live version of "Set Fire to the Rain" won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance, bringing her total wins to nine.
In 2013, Adele made her first television appearance since performing at the 2013 Academy Awards ceremony
In 2013, Adele temporarily rented Paul McCartney's 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m) former mansion for an undisclosed price.
In 2013, Adele topped the List of Richest Young Musicians under 30 in the UK and Ireland as part of the Sunday Times' annual Rich List.
In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". "Skyfall" also won the Brit Award for Best British Single at the 33rd Brit Awards.
In 2013, Intrusive paparazzi images of Adele's son taken during family outings.
In January 2014, Adele received her tenth Grammy Award with "Skyfall" winning Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.
In May 2014, on the eve of her 26th birthday, Adele posted a cryptic message on Twitter, "Bye bye 25... See you again later in the year," prompting media discussion about her next album potentially being titled '25'.
In July 2014, Adele accepted damages from a photo agency that published paparazzi images of their son taken during family outings in 2013.
In October 2014, XL Recordings ruled out a 2014 release in their accounts filed with Companies House.
By 2014, Adele was already regarded as a British cultural icon, mentioned by young adults from abroad as someone they most associated with UK culture.
By the end of 2014, Adele had sold an estimated 40 million albums and 50 million singles worldwide, solidifying her status as a global music icon.
In 2014, Kate Bush made a comeback to the stage 35 years after her last live shows, inspiring the release of 25 and her own comeback.
In August 2015, Billboard reported that Adele's label, XL Recordings, had intentions of releasing her third studio album sometime in November 2015. Danger Mouse, Tobias Jesso Jr., and Ryan Tedder contributed to the album.
In early September 2015, at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, Sia announced that her new single "Alive" was co-written by Adele and originally intended for Adele's third album.
In August 2015, Billboard reported that Adele's label, XL Recordings, had intentions of releasing her third studio album sometime in November 2015.
In November 2015, Adele's 2016 tour was announced, her first tour since 2011, including dates in Europe and North America.
By the end of 2015, "Hello" had sold 12.3 million units globally and was the year's 7th-best-selling single, despite its late October release. It broke records on YouTube and topped charts worldwide.
In 2015, Adele declined lucrative endorsement offers and reported paying £4 million in tax in the UK.
In 2015, Adele purchased a $5.2 million Mediterranean-style vacation mansion in Malibu, California.
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.
In 2015, Adele released her third album, 25, which became the year's best-selling album, breaking first week sales records.
In 2015, Adele stated, "I'm a feminist, I believe that everyone should be treated the same, including race and sexuality".
In 2015, Adele's album "25" broke sales records in the UK and US, becoming the fastest-selling album in UK chart history and the best-selling album of the year worldwide. IFPI named Adele the Global Recording Artist of the Year.
In 2015, Sam Smith's "Writing's on the Wall" surpassed "Skyfall" as the highest-charting James Bond theme song on the UK Singles Chart.
In early August 2014, Paul Moss suggested that Adele's album would be released in 2014 or 2015.
In January 2016, Adele's Carpool Karaoke with James Corden became the biggest YouTube viral video of 2016.
In March 2016, Adele's tour, Adele Live 2016 included four dates at the Manchester Arena.
In April 2016, Adele was named Songwriter of the Year for the second time at the Ivor Novello Awards by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.
In July 2016, Adele was ranked number nine on the Forbes list of the 100 highest-paid celebrities in the world, showcasing her continued financial success.
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.
In November 2016, Adele was ranked second on the Forbes list of the world's highest-paid women in music, earning US$80.5 million.
As of 2016, Adele's album 21 had sold over 31 million copies worldwide, highlighting its enduring popularity and commercial success.
In 2016, Adele won four Brit Awards, including British Album of the Year for 25 and British Single of the Year for "Hello". She also headlined the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival, calling it the best moment of her life.
In 2016, Vanity Fair magazine published a cover story which referred to Adele as the "Queen of Hearts".
In January 2017, Adele's "Easy on Me" had the highest first-week sales for a single since January 2017.
In February 2017, at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, Adele won all five of her nominations, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year.
In March 2017, Adele performed in Australia for the first time, playing outdoor stadiums. Her Sydney show on March 10 was seen by 95,000 people, with the following night breaking the record with more than 100,000 fans.
In March 2017, Adele referred to Simon Konecki as "my husband" at a concert in Brisbane, Australia, seeming to confirm reports of their marriage.
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.
As announced on July 31, 2017, Adele switched performance rights management in the US from BMI to SESAC.
In November 2017, Adele again secured second place on the Forbes list of the world's highest-paid women in music, earning $69 million.
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.
In 2017, Adele described Beyoncé as her "artist of my life."
In 2017, Ed Sheeran's Divide had the largest opening week for an album since "30".
In January 2018, Adele became an ordained minister to officiate at the wedding of Alan Carr and Paul Drayton.
By 2018, Adele was reportedly working on her fourth studio album.
From 2013 to 2018, Adele topped the List of Richest Young Musicians under 30 in the UK and Ireland as part of the Sunday Times' annual Rich List.
In 2018, Adele married Simon Konecki and separated the same year.
In 2018, Adele was inducted into the Royal Albert Hall's Walk of Fame.
In April 2019, Adele's representatives confirmed her separation from Simon Konecki.
On May 5, 2019, Adele posted a message on her Instagram account reflecting on the preceding year, hinting that a new album was on the way.
On 13 September 2019, Adele filed for divorce from Simon Konecki.
In December 2019, Adele was named singer of the 2010s by Israel's largest TV and radio stations.
In 2019, Adele bought another Beverly Hills mansion for $10.65 million.
In 2019, Insider Inc. listed Adele among the top artists of the decade, recognizing her artistry and style that broke through in a time of ultra club-happy pop music.
On the 2019 Sunday Times Rich List, Adele was valued at £150 million (US$180.5 million) as the 22nd-richest musician in the UK despite not having toured since 2017.
On February 15, 2020, Adele announced at a friend's wedding that her fourth studio album would be out by September 2020.
In September 2020, Adele confirmed that her fourth album's production and release had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On October 24, 2020, Adele made her first television appearance in almost four years by hosting the Saturday Night Live episode.
In March 2021, Adele's divorce from Simon Konecki was finalized.
In October 2021, projections of the number "30" appeared worldwide, hinting at Adele's new album. She then announced her single "Easy on Me" for release on October 15. Adele was also on the cover of Vogue and British Vogue in October.
In November 2021, Adele announced her Las Vegas residency, Weekends with Adele, scheduled for January 2022 to April 2022.
In November 2021, Adele announced that her album "30" would be released on November 19.
On November 19, 2021, Adele's album "30" was released and achieved global success, reaching number one in 24 territories. It became the best-selling album of 2021 worldwide.
In 2021, Adele bought another Beverly Hills mansion for $10 million; the latter was purchased from Nicole Richie and her husband, Joel Madden.
In 2021, Adele released her fourth studio album, "30", which featured the hit single "Easy on Me" and continued her streak of best-selling albums. "30" became the best-selling albums worldwide, including the US and the UK.
In 2021, Adele was named the UK's best-selling female album artist of the 21st century, based on Official Charts Company data.
In a 2021 article from The Daily Telegraph, James Hall wrote that "a new Adele album isn't just a release − it's a global cultural event", recognizing her profound impact on the music world.
In January 2022, Adele announced the postponement of her Las Vegas residency due to "delivery delays" and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
In April 2022, Adele's Las Vegas Residency, "Weekend with Adele" was originally planned to end.
In May 2022, Adele was named for the third time among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, in the "icons" category.
In July 2022, Adele held two concerts in Hyde Park, London.
In November 2022, Adele's Las Vegas residency began running from November 18, 2022 to March 25, 2023.
As of 2022, Adele has sold more than 170 million records worldwide, making her one of the world's best-selling music artists.
In February 2023, Adele won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance for "Easy on Me" at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
In March 2023, Adele's Las Vegas residency was scheduled to end on March 25.
On 14 October 2023, Adele revealed that she had been sober for three months.
In December 2023, Adele was listed in The Hollywood Reporter's 2023 Women in Entertainment Power 100, and received the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award.
In 2023, Adele won a Grammy Award for "Easy on Me", a single from her album "30".
In 2023, Rolling Stone listed Adele at 22nd in their list of 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, cementing her status as one of the most talented vocalists.
In January 2024, Adele's "Weekends with Adele: The Final Shows" began, adding 32 shows starting in January and wrapping up in June.
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.
On August 9, 2024, Adele revealed her engagement to Rich Paul during a performance in Munich.
As of 2024, all of Adele's studio albums, except "19", have topped the yearly best-selling albums chart worldwide in the 21st century, highlighting her consistent popularity and commercial success.