Early Life and Education of Bobby Brown: A Complete Timeline

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

Robert "Bobby" Brown is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer, renowned as a pioneer of new jack swing alongside Teddy Riley. He gained prominence as a founding member of the R&B/pop group New Edition, contributing to hits like "Candy Girl" and "Cool It Now." In 1985, Brown embarked on a solo career but later rejoined New Edition for their Billboard 200 chart-topping album, Home Again.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1980: Meeting Kim Ward

Around 1980, Bobby Brown met Kim Ward, with whom he had two children, La'Princia and Bobby Brown Jr.

June 22, 1986: Birth of Landon

On June 22, 1986, Bobby Brown's eldest child, Landon, was born to Melika Williams.

1988: Wearing Diaper Pants

In 1988, Bobby Brown wore a less sagging variation of diaper pants in music videos, such as "My Prerogative".

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1989: Meeting Whitney Houston

In 1989, Bobby Brown met Whitney Houston at the Soul Train Music Awards when he was 20 years old.

1989: Wearing Diaper Pants

In 1989, Bobby Brown wore a less sagging variation of diaper pants in music videos, such as "Every Little Step".

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1989: Birth of La'Princia

In 1989, Bobby Brown's daughter La'Princia was born to Kim Ward.

1989: Start of Multiple Arrests

Since 1989, Bobby Brown has been arrested multiple times for various offenses.

1991: Proposal to Whitney Houston

In 1991, Bobby Brown proposed to Whitney Houston, marking a significant step in their developing relationship.

1991: Birth of Bobby Brown Jr. and End of Relationship with Kim Ward

In 1991, Bobby Brown's son Bobby Brown Jr. was born to Kim Ward, and their on-and-off 11-year relationship ended.

July 18, 1992: Marriage to Whitney Houston

On July 18, 1992, Bobby Brown married Whitney Houston at her estate, solidifying their relationship.

1992: Whitney Houston's Miscarriage

In 1992, Whitney Houston suffered a miscarriage.

1993: Birth of Bobbi Kristina Brown

In 1993, Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, was born.

1993: Kidnapping by the Preacher Crew

In 1993, Bobby Brown was allegedly kidnapped by the New York street gang the Preacher Crew over a $25,000 drug debt, with Whitney Houston paying a $400,000 ransom.

1994: Whitney Houston's Miscarriage

In 1994, Whitney Houston suffered a miscarriage.

1995: Drive-by Shooting Targeting Steven Sealy

In 1995, Bobby Brown was present when Steven Sealy, his sister's boyfriend, was targeted in a drive-by shooting and killed. Brown was unharmed in the incident.

1996: Whitney Houston's Miscarriage

In 1996, Whitney Houston suffered a miscarriage.

2001: Shooter's Plea Agreement

In 2001, John Tibbs, the shooter in the 1995 drive-by shooting that killed Steven Sealy, took a plea agreement.

September 2006: Houston Files for Legal Separation and Divorce

In September 2006, Whitney Houston filed for legal separation and later divorce from Bobby Brown.

April 24, 2007: Finalization of Divorce

On April 24, 2007, Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston's divorce was finalized, with Houston receiving custody of their daughter.

2009: Admission of Drug Use Prior to Meeting Whitney Houston

In 2009, Bobby Brown admitted in his Behind the Music documentary that he had been using cocaine prior to meeting Whitney Houston.

2009: Birth of Son Cassius

In 2009, Bobby Brown had a son named Cassius with his partner, Alicia Etheredge.

2009: Birth of Son with Alicia Etheredge

In 2009, Bobby Brown had a son with Alicia Etheredge.

May 2010: Engagement to Alicia Etheredge

In May 2010, Bobby Brown became engaged to Alicia Etheredge when he proposed during a performance at the Funk Fest in Jacksonville, Florida.

2011: Death of Carole Brown

In 2011, Carole Brown, Bobby Brown's mother, passed away.

January 2012: Death of Herbert "Pops" Brown

In January 2012, Herbert "Pops" Brown, Bobby Brown's father, died.

February 11, 2012: Death of Whitney Houston

Following the death of Whitney Houston on February 11, 2012, Bobby Brown struggled to perform at a New Edition show and was asked to leave Houston's memorial service.

May 2012: Interview with The Today Show

In May 2012, Bobby Brown gave an interview to The Today Show, stating that security was the reason he and his family left Whitney Houston's memorial service and that he had spent "14 beautiful years" with Houston as his wife.

June 18, 2012: Marriage to Alicia Etheredge

On June 18, 2012, Bobby Brown married Alicia Etheredge in Hawaii.

January 2015: Bobbi Kristina Found Unconscious

In January 2015, Bobby Brown's daughter Bobbi Kristina was found unconscious in her bathtub at her residence in Roswell, Georgia.

July 26, 2015: Death of Bobbi Kristina Brown

On July 26, 2015, Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of Bobby Brown, died at the age of 22.

2015: Birth of Daughter with Alicia Etheredge and Death of Bobbi Kristina Brown

In 2015, Bobby Brown had a daughter with Alicia Etheredge. Also in 2015, Bobbi Kristina Brown died.

2016: Birth of Daughter with Alicia Etheredge

In 2016, Bobby Brown had a daughter with Alicia Etheredge.

November 18, 2020: Death of Bobby Brown Jr.

On November 18, 2020, Bobby Brown's son Bobby Jr. was found dead in his home due to an accidental overdose.

2020: Death of Bobby Brown Jr.

In 2020, Bobby Brown Jr., son of Bobby Brown, died.

2022: Claim of Starting Diaper Pants Trend

In 2022, Bobby Brown claimed he started wearing the "diaper pants" that MC Hammer altered and made famous, on his A&E show Bobby Brown: Every Little Step.

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