Britney Spears's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Britney Spears. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Britney Spears, dubbed the "Princess of Pop", is a highly influential American singer who significantly impacted 21st-century culture. She played a key role in revitalizing the teen pop genre and is known for her dynamic stage presence, which contributed to her widespread success. Her impact on music and popular culture cements her status as a major figure in entertainment.

Sections (7)

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

February 1999: "...Baby One More Time" Tops Billboard Hot 100

In January-February 1999, "...Baby One More Time" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks.

2000: Highest-Paid Female Musician

In 2000, Forbes listed Britney Spears as the world's highest-paid female musician.

2001: Spears Recognized as Best-Selling Teenage Artist

In 2001, before she turned 20, Britney Spears was recognized as the best-selling teenage artist, having sold over 37 million albums worldwide.

September 2002: VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists List

In September 2002, Britney Spears was ranked number eight on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists list, solidifying her image as a sex symbol.

2003: People's 50 Most Beautiful People

In 2003, People magazine cited Britney Spears as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People.

2004: FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World

In 2004, Britney Spears was ranked number one on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list.

2007: "Britney" Album Recognition

In 2007, Entertainment Weekly named Britney Spears' album "Britney" as one of the best albums of the preceding 25 years.

July 2008: Regaining Some Visitation Rights

In July 2008, Britney Spears regained some visitation rights to her sons after coming to an agreement with Kevin Federline.

September 2008: MTV Video Music Awards Wins and Opening

In September 2008, Britney Spears opened the MTV Video Music Awards and won Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year for "Piece of Me".

Loading Video...

December 2008: Release of Circus Album and Conservatorship Extension

In December 2008, Britney Spears's sixth studio album, Circus, was released two months after her conservatorship was extended indefinitely. The album debuted at number one in several countries, and Spears earned a place in Guinness World Records.

2008: Recognition for Blackout Album

By the end of 2008, Britney Spears's album Blackout had sold 3.1 million copies worldwide. Blackout won Album of the Year at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards and was listed as the fifth Best Pop Album of the Decade by The Times.

2008: Media Focus on Personal Issues and Career Comeback

In 2008, Britney Spears' personal issues were described as a historic public downfall, but she later received positive media attention for her professionalism and poise at the MTV Video Music Awards, marking the start of a career comeback.

2008: Recognition of 2003 VMA Performance

In 2008, MTV listed Britney Spears's 2003 performance with Christina Aguilera and Madonna as the number-one opening moment in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards.

December 2009: Billboard Ranks Spears Among Top Artists of the Decade

In December 2009, Billboard ranked Britney Spears as the 8th Artist of the 2000s decade in the United States.

2009: "3" Number One Hit

In 2009, Britney Spears had the number-one hit song "3".

Loading Video...

2009: Guinness World Records Recognition

In 2009, Britney Spears was named as Most Searched Person in the Guinness World Records book edition, acknowledging her significant online presence and popularity.

2011: Fantasy Fragrance Sales Success

By 2011, Britney Spears's "Fantasy" fragrance with Elizabeth Arden, Inc. had generated over $1.5 billion in sales.

2011: Rolling Stone Readers' Poll

In 2011, Rolling Stone readers voted Britney Spears their second-favorite dancing musician, after Michael Jackson.

2011: Lady Gaga's Remarks at the MTV Video Music Awards

In 2011, during the MTV Video Music Awards, Lady Gaga acknowledged Britney Spears's significant influence, stating that Spears "taught us all how to be fearless, and the industry wouldn't be the same without her." Gaga has also cited Spears as the most provocative performer of her time.

2011: Spears Achieves Second Number One Debut on Hot 100

In 2011, with "Hold It Against Me," Britney Spears became the second artist after Mariah Carey in the Hot 100's history to debut at number one with two or more songs.

Loading Video...

December 2012: Complex's 100 Hottest Female Singers of All Time

In December 2012, Complex ranked Britney Spears 12th on its 100 Hottest Female Singers of All Time list.

2012: Forbes Highest-Paid Female Musician Again

In 2012, Forbes again listed Britney Spears as the world's highest-paid female musician.

2012: Ranked among Greatest Women and Hottest Female Singers

In 2012, VH1 ranked Britney Spears fourth among the 50 Greatest Women of the Video Era, recognizing her impact on music videos and pop culture.

2015: Forbes Names Britney Spears a Top Earning Musician

In 2015, Forbes recognized Britney Spears as the sixth-highest-earning female musician, solidifying her influence on Las Vegas residencies and paving the way for other artists' residencies. It was noted that the arrival of Spears attracted a younger crowd.

2016: Spears Ranked on Billboard's Greatest Of All Time Top Dance Club Artists List

In 2016, Britney Spears ranked at number twenty on Billboard's Greatest Of All Time Top Dance Club Artists list.

January 2017: People's Choice Awards Wins

In January 2017, Britney Spears won four awards at the 43rd People's Choice Awards, including Favorite Pop Artist, Female Artist, Social Media Celebrity, and Comedic Collaboration for a skit with Ellen DeGeneres for The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Loading Video...

April 29, 2017: Icon Award at Radio Disney Music Awards

On April 29, 2017, Britney Spears received the Icon Award at the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards, making her the first recipient of the award.

April 12, 2018: GLAAD Vanguard Award

On April 12, 2018, Britney Spears was honored with the 2018 GLAAD Vanguard Award at the GLAAD Media Awards for her role in 'accelerating acceptance for the LGBTQ community'.

2018: GLAAD Vanguard Award

In 2018, Britney Spears received the GLAAD Vanguard Award for her role in accelerating acceptance for the LGBTQ community, recognizing her unwavering support and advocacy.

2020: Ranked among Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time

In 2020, Billboard ranked Britney Spears eighth among the Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time, citing her creativity and memorable videos.

2020: "Baby One More Time" Ranked Among Greatest Debut Singles

In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked "...Baby One More Time" as number one on a list of the 100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time, recognizing it as a pop manifesto that changed the sound of pop forever.

September 15, 2021: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

On September 15, 2021, Britney Spears was named one of the 100 most influential people of the year by Time magazine, recognizing her fight against her conservatorship and the impact of the #FreeBritney movement.