Childhood and Education Journey of Amy Winehouse in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Amy Winehouse. From birth to education, explore key events.

Amy Winehouse was a British singer and songwriter celebrated for her contralto vocals and deeply personal songwriting. Her music was a blend of soul, R&B, and jazz. Beyond her music, her fashion sense and tumultuous personal life also drew significant attention, solidifying her as a major figure in popular culture. She achieved critical acclaim and commercial success with albums like 'Back to Black,' but struggled with substance abuse, which ultimately led to her death at the age of 27.

Sections (7)

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

September 1983: Amy Winehouse's Birth

Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983, at Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield, London, to Jewish parents Mitchell and Janis Winehouse. She had an older brother named Alex.

1983: Mental Health Act

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

1992: Attending Susi Earnshaw Theatre School

In 1992, Amy Winehouse, encouraged by Cynthia, began attending the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School, where she developed her singing, acting, and tap dancing skills.

1997: Protection from Harassment Act

In 1997, the Protection from Harassment Act was enacted, which would later be used by Amy Winehouse to obtain an injunction against a paparazzi agency.

2005: Period of drinking, heavy drug use, and weight loss

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

2006: Winehouse admits to punching a fan

In 2006, Amy Winehouse admitted to punching a female fan who criticized her relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil. She also attacked Fielder-Civil when he tried to calm her down, kneeing him in the crotch.

2006: Rebound and writing of Back to Black

In early 2006, Amy Winehouse experienced a rebound that coincided with the writing of Back to Black. Her family believes that the mid-2006 death of her grandmother set her off into addiction.

May 2007: Marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil

On May 18, 2007, Amy Winehouse married Blake Fielder-Civil in Miami Beach, Florida.

August 2007: Hospitalization for overdose and cancelled shows

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

October 2007: Winehouse and Fielder-Civil arrested for cannabis possession

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). Winehouse initially appealed the fines but later dropped the appeal.

December 2007: Enrollment 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 music.

January 2008: Video of Winehouse smoking crack cocaine surfaces

In January 2008, The Sun posted a video of Amy Winehouse appearing to smoke crack cocaine and discussing taking ecstasy and Valium. Her father moved in with her, and she entered a rehabilitation facility.

April 2008: Winehouse Participates in Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

As part of a breast cancer awareness campaign, Amy Winehouse appeared in a photograph for the April 2008 issue of Easy Living magazine.

April 2008: DVD Documentary released

On 14 April 2008, Amy Winehouse – The Girl Done Good: A Documentary Review, a 78-minute DVD, was released. The documentary featured interviews with people who knew her at a young age, people who helped her achieve success, jazz music experts, and music and pop culture specialists.

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April 2008: Winehouse cautioned for assault

On 26 April 2008, Amy Winehouse was cautioned after admitting to police that she slapped a 38-year-old man in the face, which was considered a "common assault" offence. She voluntarily turned herself in and was held overnight. Police stated that she was "in no fit state" to be interviewed upon her arrival.

June 2008: Winehouse's publicist corrects emphysema misstatements

On 23 June 2008, Amy Winehouse's publicist clarified Mitch Winehouse's earlier statements about her having early-stage emphysema. Instead, she had signs that could lead to early-stage emphysema. Her father also reported that her lungs were operating at 70 percent capacity and she had an irregular heartbeat due to chain-smoking crack cocaine, and that doctors had warned her that if she kept smoking crack cocaine, she would need an oxygen mask and could die.

July 2008: Winehouse diagnosed with "some areas of emphysema"

In July 2008, Amy Winehouse stated that she had been diagnosed with "some areas of emphysema." She said she was focusing on improving her health by "eating loads of healthy food, sleeping loads, playing my guitar, making music and writing letters to my husband every day."

September 2008: Incident at Prince's Trust charity ball

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

October 2008: Winehouse begins precautionary lung testing

On 25 October 2008, Amy Winehouse began precautionary testing on her lungs and chest at the London Clinic for what was reported as a chest infection. She was able to leave and return at will during this time.

November 2008: Winehouse returns to hospital after medication reaction

In November 2008, Amy Winehouse returned to the hospital on 23 November due to a reported reaction to her medication.

2008: Winehouse ranks in The Sunday Times listing of wealthy musicians

In 2008, Amy Winehouse had an estimated £10m fortune, tying her for tenth place in The Sunday Times listing of the wealth of musicians under age 30.

2008: Winehouse quit using illegal substances

In 2008, Amy Winehouse quit using illegal substances, according to her physician. This marked a significant turning point in her battle with addiction.

January 2009: Winehouse launches Lioness Records

In January 2009, Amy Winehouse announced the launch of her own record label, Lioness Records, with her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield as the first act.

January 2009: Relationship with Josh Bowman and divorce proceedings

In early January 2009, Amy Winehouse was spotted with Josh Bowman in Saint Lucia and declared she was "in love again" and no longer needed drugs. Divorce papers were received later that month, with Blake Fielder-Civil's solicitor citing adultery as the reason.

February 2009: Fielder-Civil's release from prison

On 25 February 2009, Blake Fielder-Civil was released from prison after being imprisoned since July 2008.

March 2009: Winehouse loans dress to British Music Experience

In March 2009, Amy Winehouse loaned a vintage dress from her "Tears Dry on Their Own" video and a DVD to the British Music Experience, a new museum in London.

March 2009: Winehouse arrested for common assault

On 5 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. Her US Coachella Festival appearance was canceled due to this legal issue, and Winehouse pleaded not guilty in court on 17 March.

July 2009: Winehouse Pays for Man's Surgery

During her stay in Saint Lucia in 2009, Amy Winehouse paid for Julian Jean DeBaptiste's urgent surgery costing £4,000. He had surgery on 1 July 2009.

July 2009: Divorce granted

On 16 July 2009, Amy Winehouse's uncontested divorce from Blake Fielder-Civil was granted.

August 2009: Divorce finalized

On 28 August 2009, Amy Winehouse's divorce from Blake Fielder-Civil became final. Fielder-Civil received no money in the settlement.

December 2009: Winehouse arrested for assaulting theater manager

In December 2009, Amy Winehouse was arrested for a third time on charges of common assault and a public order offense. 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 after noisy participation in the pantomime and advised her not to drink more. Winehouse pleaded guilty and received a conditional discharge.

2009: Saving Amy documentary filmed

In 2009, Amy Winehouse and her family were the subject of a documentary shot by Daphne Barak titled Saving Amy.

2009: Injunction against paparazzi agency

In 2009, Amy Winehouse obtained an injunction against Big Pictures, a leading paparazzi agency, under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The court order banned them from following her and photographing her within 100 meters of her London home, or in the homes of her friends and relatives.

January 2010: Television documentary aired and Saving Amy book released

On 8 January 2010, a television documentary, My Daughter Amy, aired on Channel 4. Saving Amy was released as a paperback book in January 2010.

October 2010: Winehouse speaks about quitting drugs

In an October 2010 interview, Amy Winehouse spoke about her decision to quit drugs, stating that she woke up one day and no longer wanted to continue using them. However, she started having issues with alcohol after this point.

2010: Relationship with Reg Traviss

From early 2010 until her death, Amy Winehouse was in a relationship with British writer and film director Reg Traviss. They had reportedly planned to marry and have children. Conflicting reports also suggested a renewed relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil.

March 2011: Winehouse donates clothes to charity

In March 2011, Amy Winehouse donated over £20,000 worth of clothes to a local charity shop in London.

June 2011: Winehouse's European tour cancelled

In June 2011, Amy Winehouse started her 12-leg European tour in Belgrade, but her performance was poorly received, leading to the cancellation of subsequent shows.

July 2011: Winehouse's last public appearance

On 20 July 2011, Amy Winehouse made her last public appearance at Camden's Roundhouse, supporting her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield. She died three days later.

August 2011: Toxicology report disproves substance abuse as cause of death

In August 2011, an official toxicology report was released to the public, disproving speculations that substance abuse was a factor in Amy Winehouse's death. The report showed that no illegal substances were identified in her system.

October 2011: Coroner's report reveals alcohol poisoning as cause of death

In October 2011, the coroner's report stated that Amy Winehouse's blood alcohol content was 416 mg per 100 ml (0.416%) at the time of her death, more than five times the legal drink-drive limit. The coroner concluded that the "unintended consequence" of so much alcohol led to her "sudden and unexpected death," resulting in a "death by misadventure" verdict.

2011: Reports of potential adoption

In 2011, there were reports that Amy Winehouse was in the process of adopting a 10-year-old girl from St. Lucia named Dannika Augustine, with whom she had formed a strong bond. However, Winehouse's representative denied these claims.

September 2012: Winehouse's ashes buried alongside her grandmother

On 16 September 2012, Amy Winehouse's ashes were buried alongside those of her grandmother Cynthia Levy at Edgwarebury Lane Cemetery.

December 2012: Probe into Winehouse's death reopened

On 17 December 2012, British authorities reopened the probe into Amy Winehouse's death because the first coroner was deemed "not qualified" for the role.

January 2013: Second inquest confirms alcohol poisoning

On 8 January 2013, the second inquest into Amy Winehouse's death matched the conclusions of the first inquest. Coroner Dr. Shirley Radcliffe found that Winehouse "voluntarily consumed alcohol, a deliberate act that took an unexpected turn in that it caused her death." The second inquest also reached the verdict of misadventure due to alcohol poisoning.

June 2013: Alex Winehouse blames eating disorder for sister's death

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

July 2015: Release of "Amy" documentary

On 3 July 2015, the documentary film "Amy", directed by Asif Kapadia and produced by James Gay-Rees, was released. The film covered Amy Winehouse's life, relationships, struggles with substance abuse, and her death.

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October 2017: Announcement of West End/Broadway musical on Amy Winehouse

On 9 October 2017, Amy Winehouse's father, Mitch Winehouse, announced that a West End/Broadway musical about Amy was in development. This announcement was made at the Amy Winehouse Foundation Gala event in London.

2018: Release of "Amy Winehouse – Back to Black" documentary

In 2018, a documentary film based on Amy Winehouse's album Back to Black, titled "Amy Winehouse – Back to Black", was released.

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July 2021: Premiere of "Reclaiming Amy" documentary

In July 2021, a new documentary titled "Reclaiming Amy" aired on BBC Two to mark the 10th anniversary of Amy Winehouse's death. The film was primarily based on the perspective and narrated by her mother, Janis Winehouse-Collins, and included intimate stories from those who were close to Winehouse until her death.

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July 2022: Report of Back to Black biopic production

In July 2022, it was reported that StudioCanal UK would produce a feature film biopic, entitled "Back To Black (2024)", to be distributed by Focus Features and directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. The script was written by Matt Greenhalgh, with the full cooperation of Amy's father Mitch and her estate.