Early Life and Education of Boris Johnson: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Boris Johnson. From birth to education, explore key events.
Boris Johnson is a British politician and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. Previously, he was Foreign Secretary (2016-2018) and Mayor of London (2008-2016). Johnson also served as a Member of Parliament for Henley (2001-2008) and Uxbridge and South Ruislip (2015-2023). He is known for his role in advocating for Brexit and leading the Conservative Party to a significant victory in the 2019 general election.
June 1964: Birth of Boris Johnson
In June 1964, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson was born in New York City.
September 1964: Family Returned to UK
In September 1964, Johnson's parents returned to the UK.
July 1965: Family Moved to Crouch End
In July 1965, the Johnson family moved to Crouch End in north London.
September 1965: Birth of Rachel Johnson
In September 1965, Johnson's sister Rachel was born.
February 1966: Family Relocated to Washington, DC
In February 1966, the Johnson family relocated to Washington, DC.
September 1967: Birth of Leo Johnson
In September 1967, Johnson's brother Leo was born.
1969: Family Returned to the UK
In 1969, the Johnson family returned to the UK, living at West Nethercote Farm, Somerset.
1969: Family Moved to Maida Vale
In late 1969, the Johnson family moved to Maida Vale in west London.
1970: Return to Nethercote
In 1970, Charlotte and the children briefly returned to Nethercote before settling in Primrose Hill, London.
1971: Birth of Joseph Johnson
In late 1971, Johnson's fourth sibling, Joseph, was born.
April 1973: Family Moved to Brussels
In April 1973, the Johnson family moved to Uccle, Brussels, after Stanley secured employment at the European Commission.
1975: Sent to Ashdown House
In 1975, Johnson and his siblings were sent back to the UK to attend Ashdown House boarding school.
1977: Arrival at Eton College
In the autumn term of 1977, Johnson arrived at Eton College, adopting the name Boris and developing his eccentric persona.
December 1978: Parents' Relationship Broke Down
In December 1978, Boris Johnson's parents' relationship broke down.
1980: Divorce of his parents
In 1980, Boris Johnson's parents divorced, and Charlotte moved to Notting Hill, London.
1981: Became a Member of Pop
In late 1981, Johnson became a member of Pop, an elite group of school prefects at Eton.
1983: Matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford
In late 1983, Boris Johnson matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, to study Literae Humaniores.
1984: Elected Secretary of the Oxford Union
In 1984, Johnson was elected secretary of the Oxford Union.
1986: Elected President of Oxford Union
In 1986, Boris Johnson was elected as the President of the Oxford Union.
September 1987: Married Allegra Mostyn-Owen
In September 1987, Boris Johnson married Allegra Mostyn-Owen.
1987: Marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen
In 1987, Boris Johnson married Allegra Mostyn-Owen.
February 1990: Wife Allegra Broke Up With Him
In February 1990, Johnson's wife Allegra broke up with him.
April 1993: Divorced Allegra Mostyn-Owen
In April 1993, Boris Johnson and Allegra Mostyn-Owen's marriage ended.
May 1993: Married Marina Wheeler
In May 1993, Boris Johnson married Marina Wheeler.
1993: Divorce from Allegra Mostyn-Owen and Marriage to Marina Wheeler
In 1993, Boris Johnson's marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen ended in divorce or annulment. 12 days later he married Marina Wheeler. Five weeks later their first child was born.
1993: Outlined Desire to Run as Conservative
In 1993, Johnson outlined his desire to run as a Conservative in the 1994 European Parliament elections.
1994: Sought Candidacy
In 1994, Andrew Mitchell convinced Major not to veto Johnson's candidacy.
April 2003: Visit to Baghdad
In April 2003, Johnson visited occupied Baghdad after supporting the government's plans to join the United States in the invasion of Iraq.
2007: Johnson admits to smoking cannabis
In 2007, Johnson said he had smoked cannabis before he went to university.
2007: Financial Crisis of 2007-08
Johnson championed London's financial sector and denounced what he saw as "banker bashing" following the financial crisis of 2007-08.
2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama
In 2008, Johnson broke from protocol by publicly endorsing Barack Obama for the United States presidential election.
2008: Rachel Johnson Joins Conservatives
In 2008, Rachel Johnson became a member of the Conservatives.
2009: Fathered a Daughter with Helen Macintyre
In 2009, Boris Johnson fathered a daughter with Helen Macintyre, an arts consultant.
2011: Rachel Johnson Leaves Conservatives
In 2011, Rachel Johnson left the Conservatives.
2012: London Olympic Games
In 2012, Johnson retained projects such as the London Olympic Games, but was accused of trying to take credit for them.
2015: Johnson pays capital gains tax to US authorities
In 2015, Johnson agreed to pay capital gains tax to the US tax authorities on a property that he inherited in the UK.
2016: Brexit Campaign and Foreign Secretary Appointment
In 2016, Boris Johnson was a prominent figure in the Brexit campaign and later appointed foreign secretary.
2017: Rachel Johnson Joins Liberal Democrats
In 2017, Rachel Johnson joined the Liberal Democrats.
September 2018: Separation from Marina Wheeler
In September 2018, Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler issued a statement confirming they had separated months earlier.
June 2019: Conservative Party Leadership Campaign Launch
In June 2019, Boris Johnson launched his campaign for the Conservative Party leadership, emphasizing the need to leave the EU by October 31. He also initially pledged to cut income tax for high earners but later retracted this plan after criticism.
July 2019: Purchase of Buy-to-Let Townhouse
In July 2019, Boris Johnson and his then-girlfriend Carrie Symonds purchased a £1.3 million buy-to-let townhouse in Camberwell, South London.
July 2019: Appointment as Prime Minister
In July 2019, following his election as Conservative Party leader, Boris Johnson was appointed as Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth II, making him the first PM born outside British territories. He also appointed Dominic Cummings as his senior advisor.
2019: Engagement to Carrie Symonds
In 2019, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds became engaged.
April 2020: Birth of Son Wilfred
In April 2020, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds' son, Wilfred, was born.
2020: Divorce from Marina Wheeler
In 2020, Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler divorced.
2020: Son Wilfred's Catholic Baptism
In 2020, Boris Johnson's son Wilfred was baptised Catholic.
2020: Johnson considered overweight
In 2020, Johnson was considered overweight, and has spoken of making efforts to lose weight.
May 2021: Marriage to Carrie Symonds
On 29 May 2021, Boris Johnson married Carrie Symonds at Westminster Cathedral.
December 2021: Birth of Daughter Romy
In December 2021, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds' daughter, Romy, was born.
2021: Comments on Christian Beliefs
In 2021, when asked if he held pre-Christian beliefs, Johnson denied it, calling Christianity a superb ethical system and considering himself a 'very, very bad Christian'.
July 2023: Birth of Son Frank
In July 2023, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds' third child, a son named Frank, was born.
2023: Purchase of Brightwell Manor
In 2023, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds bought Brightwell Manor in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Oxfordshire.
2023: Johnson returns to road running
In 2023, Johnson returned to road running.
May 2024: Johnson turned away from polling station
On 2 May 2024 Johnson was turned away from his polling station for the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, after forgetting to bring valid photographic identification, a requirement of the Elections Act, which Johnson introduced while in office. During the 2024 general election, Johnson campaigned for the Conservatives, who lost the election in a landslide to Labour.
