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, the "Princess of Pop," is an American singer who rose to fame as a teenager and significantly impacted popular music. With over 150 million records sold, she's among the best-selling music artists globally. Spears is credited with reviving teen pop in the late 1990s and early 2000s and remains an influential figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (7)

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

2001: Spears has sold over 37 million albums worldwide

Before turning 20 in 2001, Britney Spears had sold over 37 million albums worldwide, marking her as the best-selling teenage artist.

September 2002: Ranked number eight on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists list

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

November 2003: Release of 'In the Zone' album

In November 2003, Britney Spears released her fourth studio album, In the Zone. The album debuted at the top of the charts in the United States, France, and the top ten in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. It sold over 609,000 copies in its first week in the United States. The album produced four singles: "Me Against the Music", a collaboration with Madonna; "Toxic"; "Everytime", and "Outrageous".

2003: Named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People

In 2003, People Magazine cited Britney Spears as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People, recognizing her physical attractiveness.

2003: Cited on VH1's 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons

In 2003, VH1 cited Britney Spears among its choices on the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons list.

2004: Ranked number one on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list

In 2004, Britney Spears was ranked number one on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list, cementing her image as a sex symbol.

October 2007: Release of Blackout album

In October 2007, Britney Spears released her fifth studio album, Blackout. The album debuted at number two in the U.S. Billboard 200 and received positive reviews from critics.

July 2008: Regaining visitation rights

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

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: Media attention on professional and personal life

In 2008, Britney Spears' appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards was seen as a sign of professionalism after facing a previous disastrous performance and losing control of her life.

December 2009: Billboard ranked Spears the 8th Artist of the 2000s decade

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

2009: Named Most Searched Person in the Guinness World Records book

In 2009, Britney Spears was named as Most Searched Person in the Guinness World Records book, reflecting her high level of public interest.

December 2012: Ranked 12th on Complex's 100 Hottest Female Singers of All Time list

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

2012: Ranked on VH1's 50 Greatest Women of the Video Era

In 2012, Britney Spears was ranked as the fourth greatest women of the video era on VH1's 50 Greatest Women of the Video Era. VH1 also cited her among its choices on the 100 Greatest Women in Music in 2012 and the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons in 2003.

2012: Ranked fourth Greatest Woman of the Video Era by VH1

In 2012, VH1 ranked Britney Spears as the fourth Greatest Woman of the Video Era, recognizing her impact on music videos.

2015: Named sixth-highest-earning female musician of 2015

In 2015, Forbes named Britney Spears the sixth-highest-earning female musician of the year.

2016: "Comeback" performance at MTV Video Music Awards

In 2016, Britney Spears delivered a "comeback" performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, which Billboard described as an effort to regain pop superstardom.

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 received four wins 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.

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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: Receives GLAAD Vanguard Award

In 2018, Britney Spears received the GLAAD Vanguard Award for her role in promoting acceptance for the LGBTQ community.

2020: Ranked eight Greatest Music Video Artist of All Time by Billboard

In 2020, Billboard ranked Britney Spears as the eight Greatest Music Video Artist of All Time, highlighting her creativity and memorable videos.

2020: Billboard ranks Spears on its 100 Greatest Music Video Artists list

In 2020, Billboard ranked Britney Spears eight on its 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of all-time list.

2020: Rolling Stone ranks ...Baby One More Time at number one

In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked "...Baby One More Time" at number one on a list of the 100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time, highlighting its revolutionary impact on pop music.

September 15, 2021: Named one of the 100 most influential people of 2021 by Time

On September 15, 2021, Britney Spears was named one of the 100 most influential people of 2021 by Time due to her fight against her conservatorship.

October 2021: Spears thanks her fans and the #FreeBritney movement

In October 2021, Britney Spears thanked her fans and the #FreeBritney movement for "freeing me from my conservatorship".

2023: Spears has sold over 150 million records worldwide

As of 2023, according to the Evening Standard, Britney Spears has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.