Early Life and Education of Beyoncé: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Beyoncé. A timeline of key moments.

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is a highly influential American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Renowned for her vocal talent, musical versatility, captivating live performances, and culturally impactful works, she's a leading artist of the 21st century. With over 200 million records sold, Beyoncé is one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

Sections (5)

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

September 4, 1981: Beyoncé Knowles' Birth

On September 4, 1981, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles, later known as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, was born. She is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman.

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1981: Broadway musical Dreamgirls

In 1981, the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls", loosely based on The Supremes, was first released. This musical would later inspire the 2006 film in which Beyoncé starred.

1990: Enrollment in Music Magnet School

In the fall of 1990, Beyoncé enrolled in Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school in Houston, where she joined the school's choir.

1995: Father becomes manager

In 1995, Beyoncé's father, Mathew, resigned from his job to manage the group, which significantly impacted the family's finances, forcing them to sell assets and move.

1996: Recording Debut Album and Securing Contract with Columbia Records

In 1996, the group began recording their debut album under an agreement with Sony Music, the Knowles family reunited, and shortly after, secured a contract with Columbia Records with the assistance of Columbia talent scout Teresa LaBarbera Whites.

1996: Group Name Change to Destiny's Child

In 1996, the group changed their name to Destiny's Child, inspired by a passage in the Book of Isaiah.

2002: Started Painting Portraits of Women

In 2002, Beyoncé began painting portraits of women while filming Austin Powers, becoming deeply engrossed in the therapeutic process of painting all night with candles, music, saris, and pillows.

June 11, 2005: Announcement of Destiny's Child Disbandment

On June 11, 2005, during the last stop of their European tour in Barcelona, Rowland announced that Destiny's Child would disband following the North American leg of the tour.

September 4, 2006: Release of B'Day Album

On September 4, 2006, Beyoncé released her second solo album B'Day in the U.S. to coincide with her twenty-fifth birthday. It sold 541,000 copies in its first week and debuted atop the Billboard 200.

April 4, 2008: Marriage to Jay-Z

On April 4, 2008, Beyoncé and Jay-Z married without publicity.

2008: Introduction of Sasha Fierce

In 2008, Beyoncé introduced her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, with the release of her album I Am... Sasha Fierce, conceived during the making of "Crazy in Love", to separate her onstage persona from her real self.

January 2010: Hiatus from Music Career

In January 2010, Beyoncé announced a hiatus from her music career, following her mother's advice. During this break, she parted ways with her father as a business partner and traveled extensively.

February 2010: Retirement of Sasha Fierce

In February 2010, Beyoncé announced in an interview with Allure magazine that she no longer needed Sasha Fierce, feeling comfortable enough with herself.

2010: Miscarriage

Around 2010, Beyoncé experienced a miscarriage, which she described as "the saddest thing" she had ever endured.

April 2011: Pregnancy during album cover shoot

In April 2011, Beyoncé and Jay-Z traveled to Paris to shoot the album cover for 4, where she unexpectedly became pregnant.

August 29, 2011: Pregnancy announcement at MTV Video Music Awards

On August 29, 2011, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé revealed she was pregnant after performing "Love On Top", leading to a Guinness World Record for tweets per second and becoming the most Googled phrase of the week.

January 7, 2012: Birth of Blue Ivy

On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to her daughter, Blue Ivy, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

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January 2012: Horse-Fly Species Named After Beyoncé

In January 2012, research scientist Bryan Lessard named Scaptia beyonceae, a species of horse-fly found in Northern Queensland, Australia, after Beyoncé due to the fly's unique golden hairs on its abdomen.

May 2012: Return of Sasha Fierce

In May 2012, Beyoncé announced that she would bring back her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, for her Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live shows later that month.

2012: Fundraiser for Obama's presidential campaign

In 2012, Beyoncé and Jay-Z held a fundraiser at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in Manhattan for President Obama's presidential campaign, raising $4 million, with Beyoncé also voting for Obama in the election.

2013: Attendance at rally for Trayvon Martin

In 2013, Beyoncé and Jay-Z attended a rally in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin.

May 2015: Attendance at Hillary Clinton fundraiser

In May 2015, Beyoncé attended a major celebrity fundraiser for 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

2016: Performance for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Beyoncé headlined for Hillary Clinton in a concert held the weekend before Election Day, with Beyoncé and her backup dancers wearing pantsuits and "I'm with her" tee shirts.

February 1, 2017: Announcement of pregnancy with twins

On February 1, 2017, Beyoncé revealed on her Instagram account that she was expecting twins, breaking the world record for the most liked image on the website at the time.

February 23, 2017: Withdrawal from Coachella Performance

On February 23, 2017, it was announced that Beyoncé would no longer be able to perform at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival due to doctor's concerns regarding her pregnancy. She would instead headline the 2018 festival.

June 13, 2017: Birth of twins Rumi and Sir

On June 13, 2017, Beyoncé gave birth to twins, a daughter named Rumi and a son named Sir, at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California via caesarean section.

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July 13, 2017: First image of twins on Instagram

On July 13, 2017, Beyoncé uploaded the first image of herself and the twins onto her Instagram account, confirming their birth date as June 13, 2017, with the post becoming the second most liked on Instagram.

September 2018: Vogue cover and pregnancy reflections

Beyoncé wrote of her pregnancy and its aftermath in the September 2018 issue of Vogue, in which she had full control of the cover, shot at Hammerwood Park by photographer Tyler Mitchell.

2018: Endorsement of Beto O'Rourke

In 2018, Beyoncé endorsed the bid of Beto O'Rourke during the United States Senate election in Texas.

2023: Couple Bought House in Malibu for $200 Million

In 2023, Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased a house in Malibu, California, designed by architect Tadao Ando, for $200 million, setting a record for the most expensive residence sold in the state of California.