Challenges in the Life of Amy Winehouse in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Amy Winehouse's life and career.

Amy Winehouse (1983-2011) was a highly acclaimed English singer and songwriter celebrated for her distinctive contralto voice and genre-bending music, which fused soul, R&B, reggae, and jazz. Selling over 30 million records globally, she achieved significant commercial success and critical recognition, winning multiple Grammy Awards. Despite her talent, Winehouse struggled with substance abuse, which significantly impacted her career and ultimately led to her premature death at the age of 27. Her raw honesty and unique style continue to influence contemporary music and solidify her legacy as a singular talent.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1983: Mental Health Act

By late April 2008, Amy Winehouse's father and manager then sought to have her detained under the Mental Health Act of 1983.

1997: Protection from Harassment Act enacted

In 1997, the Protection from Harassment Act was enacted. Years later, in 2009, Amy Winehouse would use this act to obtain an injunction against a paparazzi agency.

2005: Period of Substance Abuse

In 2005, Amy Winehouse went through a period of drinking, heavy drug use, and weight loss.

June 2007: Winehouse Admits to Violence

In a June 2007 interview, Amy Winehouse admitted she could sometimes be violent toward Blake Fielder-Civil after she had been drinking.

July 2007: Blake Fielder-Civil's Assault and Winehouse's Arrest

In July 2007, Blake Fielder-Civil assaulted a pub landlord, breaking the victim's cheekbone, and Amy Winehouse was briefly arrested in connection with it.

August 2007: Photographed Bloodied and Bruised

In August 2007, Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil were photographed, bloodied and bruised, in the streets of London after an alleged fight, although she contended her injuries were self-inflicted.

August 2007: Hospitalization and Show Cancellations

In August 2007, Amy Winehouse cancelled shows in the UK and Europe, citing exhaustion and ill health. She was hospitalised during this period for what was reported as an overdose of heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and alcohol.

October 2007: Winehouse arrested for drug possession in Norway

In October 2007, Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil were arrested in Bergen, Norway, for possession of seven grams of cannabis. They were later released and fined 3850 kroner (around £350).

November 2007: Troubled Tour and Cancellation of Appearances

In November 2007, Amy Winehouse's tour was marred by poor performances, including booing and walkouts at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. On 27 November 2007, Winehouse announced the cancellation of her remaining performances and public appearances for the year, citing doctor's advice to rest due to the emotional strain of touring.

December 2007: Enrolment in Physician-Supervised Program

In December 2007, Amy Winehouse's spokesman reported that the singer was in a physician-supervised program and was channelling her difficulties by writing a lot of music.

January 2008: Crack Cocaine Video and Rehabilitation

In January 2008, The Sun posted a video in which Amy Winehouse appeared to be smoking crack cocaine and speaking of having taken ecstasy and Valium. Shortly after the video was posted, Winehouse's father moved in with her to keep her under '24-hour watch'. She reportedly entered a rehabilitation facility for a two-week treatment program later in January 2008.

April 2008: Concerns Over Drug Rehabilitation Efforts

By late April 2008, Amy Winehouse's erratic behaviour caused fear that her drug rehabilitation efforts had been unsuccessful. Her father and manager then sought to have her detained under the Mental Health Act of 1983.

April 2008: Winehouse cautioned for assault and investigated for drug use

On April 26, 2008, Amy Winehouse was cautioned after admitting to police that she slapped a 38-year-old man. Ten days later, she was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs, stemming from a video that surfaced in January 2008. Although she was released on bail, the Crown Prosecution Service ultimately did not charge her due to insufficient evidence.

June 2008: Winehouse's father clarifies reports about her health

On June 23, 2008, Amy Winehouse's publicist clarified that she had signs of what could lead to early-stage emphysema, correcting earlier statements made by Mitch Winehouse. He had also mentioned her lungs were operating at 70 percent capacity and she had an irregular heartbeat, attributing these problems to crack cocaine use. Doctors warned her about needing an oxygen mask and potential death if she continued smoking crack cocaine. She was responding to treatment with nicotine patches.

July 2008: Fielder-Civil Confesses to Introducing Winehouse to Drugs

During a visit with Mitch Winehouse at the prison in July 2008, Blake Fielder-Civil reportedly said that he introduced Amy Winehouse to crack cocaine and heroin. Winehouse also reportedly confessed to having an affair in 2008.

July 2008: Imprisonment of Blake Fielder-Civil

In July 2008, Blake Fielder-Civil was imprisoned for trying to pervert the course of justice and of grievous bodily harm with intent. The incident, in July 2007, involved his assault of a pub landlord that broke the victim's cheekbone, and also saw Winehouse briefly arrested in connection with it.

September 2008: Rumors of Relapse

Amy Winehouse's dishevelled appearance during and after a scheduled club night in September 2008 prompted new rumours of a relapse. Photographers were quoted as saying she appeared to have cuts on her arms and legs.

September 2008: Incident at Prince's Trust charity ball

In September 2008, an incident occurred at the Prince's Trust charity ball where Amy Winehouse allegedly hit dancer Sherene Flash in the eye, leading to Winehouse's arrest and charge with common assault in March 2009.

November 2008: Winehouse returns to hospital due to medication reaction

On November 23, 2008, Amy Winehouse returned to the hospital due to a reported reaction to her medication. This occurred while she was receiving treatment as an outpatient after being released from the London Clinic.

2008: Drug Problems and Grammy Controversy

By 2008, Amy Winehouse's drug problems threatened her career. There were questions raised after the Grammys whether Winehouse should have been honoured with the awards given her recent personal and drug problems.

2008: Pressure for New Material and Learning Drums

In 2008, Universal Music reportedly pressed Amy Winehouse for new material, but as of September of that year, she hadn't been near a recording studio. In late October, her spokesman said she had not been given a deadline for her third album and was learning to play drums.

2008: Winehouse quit using illegal substances

In 2008, according to her physician, Amy Winehouse successfully quit using illegal substances. This marked a significant step in her battle with addiction, although she later faced challenges with alcohol abuse.

February 2009: Fielder-Civil's Imprisonment

From July 21, 2008 to February 25, 2009, Blake Fielder-Civil was imprisoned following his guilty plea on charges of trying to pervert the course of justice and of grievous bodily harm with intent.

March 2009: Winehouse arrested for assault on dancer

In March 2009, Amy Winehouse was arrested and charged with common assault following Sherene Flash's claim that Winehouse hit her in the eye at the September 2008 Prince's Trust charity ball. As a result, Winehouse's US Coachella Festival appearance was cancelled. She pleaded not guilty in court on March 17.

May 2009: Performance at Saint Lucia Jazz Festival

In May 2009, Amy Winehouse returned to performing at a jazz festival in Saint Lucia amid challenging weather and technical difficulties. Her performance was unsteady, and she had trouble remembering lyrics, but she also worked on new music with Salaam Remi during her stay.

December 2009: Winehouse arrested for assaulting theatre manager

On December 19, 2009, Amy Winehouse was arrested for a third time on charges of common assault and a public order offence. This occurred after she assaulted the front-of-house manager of the Milton Keynes Theatre when he asked her to move to a different seat due to her noisy participation in the pantomime and advised her against further drinking. Winehouse pleaded guilty and received a conditional discharge.

2009: Winehouse obtains injunction against paparazzi agency

In 2009, Amy Winehouse obtained an injunction against the paparazzi agency, Big Pictures, under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The court order restricted photographers from following her and photographing her within 100 metres of her London home or the homes of her friends and relatives. This legal action was taken to ensure the safety of Winehouse and those close to her.

October 2010: Winehouse speaks about quitting drugs

In October 2010, Amy Winehouse revealed in an interview that she had quit using illegal substances. She stated she woke up one day and no longer wanted to continue using drugs. However, alcohol became a new challenge for her.

January 2011: Performances in Brazil

In January 2011, Amy Winehouse played five dates in Brazil, opening for Janelle Monáe and Mayer Hawthorne. During the Florianópolis performance, she struggled with lyrics and had to leave the stage twice, but the crowd showed compassion and praised her for continuing the show.

June 2011: Troubled European Tour and Cancellation

On 18 June 2011, Amy Winehouse began her European tour in Belgrade, but her performance was widely criticized as a "scandal and disaster" due to her apparent intoxication. She was booed off stage, and Serbian defense minister Dragan Šutanovac called her performance "a huge shame and a disappointment". On 21 June, all shows of her tour were cancelled.

June 2013: Alex Winehouse shares belief about sister's eating disorder

In a June 2013 interview, Alex Winehouse expressed his belief that his sister's eating disorder and the resulting physical weakness were the primary cause of her death.