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, a British politician and writer, served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. Prior to this, he held prominent positions including 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). His political career has been marked by his leadership roles within the Conservative Party and his involvement in significant events like Brexit.

Sections (6)

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

June 1964: Birth in New York City

In June 1964, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson was born on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City.

June 1964: Birth of Boris Johnson

On June 1964, Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson was born. He is a British politician and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2019 to 2022.

September 1964: Return to the UK

In September 1964, Johnson's parents returned to the UK so his mother, Charlotte, could study at the University of Oxford.

July 1965: Family moved to Crouch End

In July 1965, the family moved to Crouch End in north London.

September 1965: Birth of daughter, Rachel.

In September 1965, Charlotte gave birth to a daughter, Rachel.

February 1966: Family relocation to Washington, DC

In February 1966, the family relocated to Washington, DC, where Stanley worked with the World Bank.

September 1967: Birth of Leo

In September 1967, Boris Johnson's brother, Leo, was born.

1969: Return to the UK and life at West Nethercote Farm

In 1969, the family returned to the UK and lived at West Nethercote Farm in Winsford, Somerset, Stanley's family home in Exmoor.

1969: Family Moved to Maida Vale

In late 1969, the family moved to Maida Vale in west London, while Stanley began post-graduate research at the London School of Economics.

1970: Brief Return to Nethercote

In 1970, Charlotte and the children briefly returned to Nethercote, where Johnson attended Winsford Village School, before returning to London to settle in Primrose Hill, where they were educated at Primrose Hill Primary School.

1971: Birth of Joseph

In late 1971, Boris Johnson's brother Joseph was born.

1972: Father of Johnson's mother became president of the European Commission of Human Rights

In 1972, Sir James Fawcett, who is the father of Johnson's mother, became president of the European Commission of Human Rights.

April 1973: Family moved to Uccle, Brussels

In April 1973, Boris Johnson's family moved to Uccle, Brussels, where Johnson attended the European School, Brussels I and learnt to speak French.

1975: Sent to boarding school

In 1975, Johnson and his siblings were sent back to the UK to attend Ashdown House, a preparatory boarding school in East Sussex after his mother had a nervous breakdown and was hospitalised with depression.

1977: Started attending Eton College

In the autumn term of 1977, Boris Johnson started attending Eton College, a boarding school near Windsor, Berkshire, and began going by his middle name Boris.

December 1978: Breakdown of parents' relationship

In December 1978, Boris Johnson's parents' relationship broke down, leading to their divorce in 1980.

1980: Parents' divorce

In 1980, Boris Johnson's parents divorced, and Charlotte moved to Notting Hill, London, where her children joined her for much of their time.

1981: Father of Johnson's mother ended term as president of the European Commission of Human Rights

In 1981, Sir James Fawcett, who is the father of Johnson's mother, ended his term as president of the European Commission of Human Rights.

1981: Became a member of Pop

In late 1981 Boris Johnson became a member of Pop, a small, self-selecting elite group of school prefects.

1983: Matriculation at Balliol College, Oxford

In late 1983, Boris Johnson matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, to read Literae humaniores, joining a generation of Oxford undergraduates who dominated British politics and media in the early 21st century.

1984: Election as secretary of the Oxford Union

In 1984, Boris Johnson was elected secretary of the Oxford Union.

1984: Volunteering in Israel

In the summer of 1984, Boris Johnson and his sister Rachel volunteered at Kibbutz Kfar HaNassi in northern Israel.

1986: Elected president of the Oxford Union

In 1986, Boris Johnson ran successfully for president of the Oxford Union.

September 1987: Marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen and employment at The Times

In September 1987, Boris Johnson married Allegra Mostyn-Owen and began working as a graduate trainee at The Times.

September 1987: Marriage to Allegra Mostyn-Owen

On September 5, 1987, Boris Johnson married Allegra Mostyn-Owen.

February 1990: Separation from Allegra Mostyn-Owen

In February 1990, Boris Johnson's wife Allegra broke up with him.

April 1993: Divorce from Allegra Mostyn-Owen

In April 1993, Boris Johnson's marriage with Allegra Mostyn-Owen ended.

May 1993: Marriage to Marina Wheeler

In May 1993, Boris Johnson married childhood friend Marina Wheeler.

1995: Birth of Son Milo

In 1995, Milo, the son of Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler, was born.

1997: Birth of Daughter Cassia

In 1997, Cassia, the daughter of Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler, was born.

April 1998: Appearance on Have I Got News for You

In April 1998, Johnson's appearance on the BBC's satirical current affairs show 'Have I Got News for You' brought him national fame and recognition.

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1999: Birth of Son Theodore

In 1999, Theodore, the son of Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler, was born.

2001: Elected as MP for Henley

In the 2001 general election, Johnson won the seat for Henley, a Conservative safe seat in Oxfordshire, assisted by his television fame.

April 2003: Visit to Occupied Baghdad

In April 2003, Johnson visited occupied Baghdad after supporting the government's plans to join the United States in the invasion of Iraq.

August 2004: Backed impeachment procedures against Tony Blair

In August 2004, Johnson backed unsuccessful impeachment procedures against Prime Minister Tony Blair for "high crimes and misdemeanours" regarding the war in Iraq.

December 2006: Called Invasion of Iraq a Colossal Mistake

In December 2006, Johnson described the invasion of Iraq as "a colossal mistake and misadventure".

2007: Past Drug Use

In 2007, Boris Johnson admitted to having smoked cannabis before university.

July 2008: Abandonment of Tube Ticket Office Closure Plan

On 2 July 2008, the Mayor's office announced that the plan to close up to 40 Tube ticket offices would be abandoned.

2008: Rachel Johnson Joins Conservatives

Between 2008 and 2011, Rachel Johnson was a member of the Conservatives.

2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama

In 2008, Johnson broke from the traditional protocol of those in public office not publicly commenting on other nations' elections by endorsing Barack Obama for the 2008 United States presidential election.

2010: Fears in the Conservative Party due to Johnson's administration

After Johnson became mayor, many in the Conservative Party initially distanced themselves from Johnson's administration, fearing it would be damaging for the 2010 general election.

2012: Retained projects and criticism as Mayor

Johnson retained Livingstone projects such as Crossrail and the 2012 Olympic Games, but was accused of trying to take credit for them.

November 2013: Closure of all London Underground ticket offices announced

On 21 November 2013, Transport for London announced that all London Underground ticket offices would close by 2015.

2015: Payment of Capital Gains Tax

In 2015, Boris Johnson agreed to pay capital gains tax to the US tax authorities on a property that he inherited in the UK.

2015: Closure of all London Underground ticket offices

In 2015, all London Underground ticket offices closed.

2016: Brexit campaign and appointment as foreign secretary

In 2016, Boris Johnson was a prominent figure in the Brexit campaign and was later appointed foreign secretary by Prime Minister Theresa May after the referendum.

2017: Rachel Johnson Joins Liberal Democrats

In 2017, Rachel Johnson joined the Liberal Democrats, having been a member of the Conservatives between 2008 and 2011.

September 2018: Separation from Marina Wheeler

In September 2018, Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler confirmed that they had separated and were divorcing, following media reports about his affair with Carrie Symonds.

2018: Considered Obese

In 2018, Boris Johnson was considered obese.

July 2019: Became Prime Minister and Moved into 11 Downing Street

After becoming prime minister in July 2019, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds moved into a flat above 11 Downing Street.

July 2019: Property Purchase

In July 2019, Boris Johnson bought a four-bedroom buy-to-let townhouse in Camberwell, South London, with his then-girlfriend Carrie Symonds.

February 2020: Divorce Finalized and Engagement Announced

In February 2020, Boris Johnson's divorce from Marina Wheeler was finalized, and his engagement to Carrie Symonds was announced.

April 2020: Birth of Son Wilfred

In April 2020, Carrie Symonds gave birth to their son Wilfred.

2020: Considered Overweight

In 2020, Boris Johnson was considered overweight and spoke of making efforts to lose weight.

2020: Son's Baptism

In 2020, Boris Johnson's son Wilfred was baptised Catholic.

May 2021: Marriage to Carrie Symonds

On May 29, 2021, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds married at Westminster Cathedral.

July 2021: Lifting of Public Health Restrictions

In July 2021, Johnson announced the lifting of most generalised public health restrictions in England, replacing them with recommendations, despite an increase in cases driven by the Delta variant.

September 2021: Public Statement on Number of Children

In September 2021, Boris Johnson stated in a U.S. television interview that he had six children.

December 2021: Birth of Daughter Romy

In December 2021, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds had a daughter, Romy.

December 2021: "Plan B" Restrictions

In December 2021, more stringent "Plan B" restrictions were put forward for England, including face coverings in public settings, work from home guidance, and COVID-19 passports for certain venues due to the Omicron variant. The government faced a large rebellion from Conservative MPs.

2021: Scheme for Hongkongers

In 2021, Johnson's government launched a scheme for Hongkongers following the Hong Kong national security law, which resulted in over 200,000 Hong Kong residents immigrating to the UK.

July 2023: Birth of Son Frank

In July 2023, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds had a son, Frank.

2023: Brightwell Manor Purchase

In 2023, Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds bought Brightwell Manor in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Oxfordshire.

2023: Return to Road Running

In 2023, Boris Johnson returned to road running.

May 2024: 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 election after forgetting to bring valid photographic identification.