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, an American singer dubbed the "Princess of Pop," significantly impacted 21st-century culture by reviving teen pop. Recognized for her stage presence and intricate dance routines, she remains a prominent figure in the music industry and a cultural icon.

Sections (7)

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

January 1999: ...Baby One More Time Album Debut

In January 1999, Britney Spears's debut album ...Baby One More Time was released and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, quickly achieving platinum status.

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

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

May 2000: Oops!... I Did It Again Album Release

In May 2000, Britney Spears released her second album, Oops!... I Did It Again, which debuted at number one in the US and broke sales records.

2000: Highest-Paid Female Musician

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

2001: Spears recognized for best-selling teenage album

In 2001, Britney Spears was recognized by the Guinness World Records for having the "Best-selling album by a teenage solo artist" for her debut album, ...Baby One More Time, which sold over 13 million copies in the United States.

September 2002: VH1 Ranks Spears on Sexiest Artists List

In September 2002, Britney Spears was ranked number eight on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists list, acknowledging her sex symbol status.

2003: People Names Spears One of the Most Beautiful People

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

2004: FHM Ranks Spears Sexiest Woman in the World

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

2007: Britney Named Best Album

In 2007, Entertainment Weekly named Britney's self-titled album one of the best albums of the preceding 25 years.

July 2008: Regaining Visitation Rights

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

September 2008: MTV Video Music Awards Wins

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".

2008: 'Blackout' wins Album of the Year at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards

Britney Spears' 'Blackout' won Album of the Year at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards.

2008: Media Attention on Personal Issues and Comeback

In 2008, Britney Spears' personal struggles were described as a major downfall. However, she later received positive media attention for her appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards and her career comeback.

2008: Recognition of 2003 VMA Performance

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

December 2009: Spears ranked as a top artist of the decade

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

2009: "3" Reached Number One

In 2009, Britney Spears achieved a US number-one hit with her song "3".

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2009: Guinness World Record for Most Searched Person

In 2009, Britney Spears was named as the Most Searched Person in the Guinness World Records book, showcasing her immense online popularity.

2011: Fantasy Fragrance Sales Milestone

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

2011: Spears achieves second number-one debut on Hot 100

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

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December 2012: Complex Ranks Spears Among Hottest Female Singers

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

2012: Highest-Paid Female Musician Again

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

2012: VH1 Ranks Spears Fourth Among Greatest Women of the Video Era

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

2015: Spears named sixth-highest earning female musician

In 2015, Forbes named Britney Spears the sixth-highest-earning female musician, highlighting her impact on Las Vegas residencies and paving the way for other artists.

2016: Spears ranks on Billboard's Greatest Of All Time list

In 2016, Britney Spears ranked at number twenty on Billboard's Greatest Of All Time Top Dance Club Artists list, adding to her extensive list of achievements.

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 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

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

On April 29, 2017, Britney Spears became the first recipient of the Icon Award at the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards.

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 supporting the LGBTQ community. She acknowledged the loyalty and support of her LGBTQ fans.

2020: Billboard Ranks Spears Eighth Among Greatest Music Video Artists

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

2020: Rolling Stone Ranks "...Baby One More Time" as Greatest Debut Single

In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked Britney Spears's debut single "...Baby One More Time" as number one on its list of the 100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time, recognizing its impact on pop music.

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

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

October 2021: Spears Thanks Fans for Freeing Her From Conservatorship

In October 2021, Britney Spears thanked her fans and the #FreeBritney movement for their role in freeing her from her conservatorship.

2021: Conservatorship Dissolved

In 2021, Britney Spears's conservatorship was dissolved after she publicly testified against her family and management for maltreatment.

2024: Named Most Famous Celebrity From Louisiana

In 2024, Britney Spears was named the most famous celebrity from Louisiana, based on a study of internet searches by LouisianaBets.com.

2024: Ranked on Billboard's Greatest Pop Stars List

In 2024, Britney Spears was ranked at number six on Billboard's Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century list, recognizing her significant contributions to pop music.

2025: Ranked on Billboard's Top Women Artists List

In 2025, Britney Spears was ranked number 14 on Billboard's "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list, acknowledging her impact and influence in the music industry.