Childhood and Education Journey of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Andrew Lloyd Webber, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a highly successful English composer and impresario, best known for his influential musical theatre productions. His impressive body of work includes 21 musicals, a song cycle, film scores, and a Requiem Mass. Many of his musicals have achieved extraordinary longevity, running for over a decade in both London's West End and on Broadway, solidifying his place as a giant in the world of musical theatre.

Sections (5)

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

1914: Birth of William Lloyd Webber

In 1914, William Lloyd Webber, Andrew Lloyd Webber's father, who was a composer and organist, was born.

1921: Birth of Jean Hermione Johnstone

In 1921, Jean Hermione Johnstone, Andrew Lloyd Webber's mother, who was a violinist and pianist, was born.

March 1948: Andrew Lloyd Webber's birth

In March 1948, Andrew Lloyd Webber was born at Westminster Hospital in London to William Lloyd Webber, a composer and organist, and Jean Hermione Johnstone, a violinist and pianist.

1960: Attended Westminster School

From 1960, Lloyd Webber was a Queen's Scholar at Westminster School, where he developed an appreciation for 1960s rock and pop music.

1963: Enrolled at Eric Gilder School of Music

In 1963, Andrew Lloyd Webber was enrolled as a part-time student at the Eric Gilder School of Music, during which time he was working on a Genghis Khan musical called Westonia!.

1965: Abandoned Oxford to Study Music

In 1965, Andrew Lloyd Webber abandoned his history course at Magdalen College, Oxford, to study at the Royal College of Music in London and pursue his passion for musical theatre.

July 1971: Marriage to Sarah Hugill

In July 1971, specifically on 24 July 1971, Lloyd Webber married Sarah Hugill.

1971: Declared Agnostic in New York Times Interview

In 1971, during an interview with The New York Times, Lloyd Webber stated that he is an agnostic.

November 1980: Subject of This Is Your Life

In November 1980, Andrew Lloyd Webber was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on This Is Your Life at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios in London.

1982: Death of William Lloyd Webber, leading to Requiem creation

In 1982, the death of Andrew Lloyd Webber's father, William, was a significant event that later inspired the creation of Requiem.

November 1983: Divorce from Sarah Hugill

In November 1983, specifically on 14 November 1983, Lloyd Webber divorced Sarah Hugill.

March 1984: Marriage to Sarah Brightman

In March 1984, specifically on 22 March 1984, Lloyd Webber married English soprano Sarah Brightman in Hampshire.

January 1990: Divorce from Sarah Brightman

In January 1990, specifically on 3 January 1990, Lloyd Webber divorced Sarah Brightman. Despite the divorce, they have remained close friends and continued to work together.

February 1991: Marriage to Madeleine Gurdon

In February 1991, specifically on 9 February 1991, Lloyd Webber married Madeleine Gurdon in Westminster.

1992: Started the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation

In 1992, Andrew Lloyd Webber established the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation to support the arts, culture, and heritage of the UK.

1992: Founded Watership Down Stud

In 1992, Lloyd Webber and his third wife Madeleine founded the Watership Down Stud.

November 1994: Honored on This Is Your Life Again

In November 1994, Andrew Lloyd Webber was honored a second time on This Is Your Life, surprised by Michael Aspel at the Adelphi Theatre.

1996: Purchased Kiltinan Castle Stud

In 1996, Lloyd Webber and his wife expanded their equestrian holdings by purchasing Kiltinan Castle Stud near Fethard in County Tipperary, Ireland.

1997: Made a Life Peer

In 1997, Lloyd Webber was made a life peer as Baron Lloyd-Webber, of Sydmonton, in the county of Hampshire, sitting for the Conservative Party.

2003: Royal Academy Exhibition of Art Collection

In 2003, an exhibition of works from Lloyd Webber's art collection was presented at the Royal Academy under the title 'Pre-Raphaelite and Other Masters – The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection'.

2005: Song Used in Conservative Party Film

In 2005, Lloyd Webber allowed his song "Take That Look Off Your Face" to be used on a Conservative Party promotional film.

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November 2006: Withdrew Picasso Painting from Auction

In November 2006, Lloyd Webber withdrew his painting 'Portrait of Angel Fernández de Soto' by Pablo Picasso from auction due to a claim that the previous owner had been forced to sell it under duress in Nazi Germany.

2006: Ranked 87th-Richest Person in Britain

The Sunday Times Rich List 2006 ranked Lloyd Webber as the 87th-richest person in Britain with an estimated fortune of £700 million.

2007: Wealth Increased to £750 Million

In 2007, Lloyd Webber's wealth increased to £750 million, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.

2008: Ranked 101st in The Sunday Times Rich List

In 2008, The Sunday Times Rich List ranked Lloyd Webber 101st.

2009: Underwent Surgery for Prostate Cancer

In late 2009, Lloyd Webber underwent surgery for early-stage prostate cancer and was later readmitted to hospital with a post-operative infection in November.

January 2010: Declared Cancer-Free

In January 2010, Lloyd Webber declared that he was cancer-free after having his prostate completely removed as a preventative measure.

June 2010: Sale of Picasso Painting at Auction

On June 23, 2010, Lloyd Webber's painting, 'Portrait of Angel Fernández de Soto' by Pablo Picasso, was sold at auction for £34.7 million to an anonymous telephone bidder.

2013: Launched Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme

In 2013, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme was launched to aid the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST), providing opportunities for children to study musical instruments.

August 2014: Signatory to Letter Opposing Scottish Independence

In August 2014, Lloyd Webber was one of 200 public figures who signed a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence.

2014: Designed Cats-themed Paddington Bear Statue

In 2014, Lloyd Webber designed a Cats-themed Paddington Bear statue, which was placed in Chinatown, London, and later auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

October 2015: Involved in Contentious House of Lords Vote

In October 2015, Lloyd Webber was involved in a contentious House of Lords vote over proposed cuts to tax credits, voting with the Government.

2015: Limited Voting Record in House of Lords

By the end of 2015, Lloyd Webber had voted only 33 times in the House of Lords.

October 2017: Retired from the House of Lords

In October 2017, Lloyd Webber retired from the House of Lords, citing his busy schedule and the upcoming Brexit legislation.

2019: Ranked Richest Musician in the UK

In 2019, The Sunday Times Rich List ranked Lloyd Webber as the richest musician in the UK with a fortune of £820 million ($1.074 billion).

July 2021: Vowed Never to Vote Conservative Again

In July 2021, Lloyd Webber stated on Good Morning Britain that he would never vote for the Conservatives again, citing their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2023: Invited to ride in the King's procession at Royal Ascot

In 2023, Andrew Lloyd Webber and his wife Madeleine were invited to ride in the King's procession at Royal Ascot.

2023: Death of Son Nicholas

In 2023, Lloyd Webber's son, Nicholas, passed away at the age of 43 after battling gastric cancer for 18 months.

2024: House Blessed to Remove Poltergeist

In 2024, Lloyd Webber revealed he had his house in Eaton Square, Belgravia, London, blessed by a priest in an attempt to displace a "poltergeist" that was haunting the property.