Childhood and Education Journey of Bruno Mars in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Bruno Mars. A timeline of key moments.

Bruno Mars (Peter Gene Hernandez) is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer celebrated for his dynamic live performances, retro showmanship, and impressive three-octave tenor vocal range. Accompanied by his band, the Hooligans, Mars is considered a pop icon. He began his career in Honolulu, gaining attention as a child Elvis Presley impersonator. He relocated to Los Angeles in 2003 to pursue a professional music career, eventually achieving global recognition for his musical talent and stage presence.

Sections (6)

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

1979: "Oops Up Side Your Head" Release

In 1979, The Gap Band released "Oops Up Side Your Head".

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1980: "More Bounce to the Ounce" Release

In 1980, Zapp released "More Bounce to the Ounce".

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1983: "Young Girls" Release

In 1983, Collage released "Young Girls".

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October 8, 1985: Birth of Peter Gene Hernandez

On October 8, 1985, Peter Gene Hernandez, known professionally as Bruno Mars, was born. He is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Featured in MidWeek as 'Little Elvis'

In 1990, Bruno Mars, known as "Little Elvis", was featured in the Hawaiian tabloid shopper MidWeek. He also performed in the halftime show of the 1990 Aloha Bowl.

2003: Move to Los Angeles

In 2003, Bruno Mars moved to Los Angeles to pursue a musical career after gaining recognition in Hawaii as a child impersonating Elvis Presley.

2003: Pursuit of Musical Career in Los Angeles

In 2003, shortly after graduating from high school, Bruno Mars moved to Los Angeles to pursue a musical career. He also adopted his stage name.

2006: RBD's 13-show record

In 2006, RBD set the 13-show record for an international artist.

September 19, 2010: Arrested for Cocaine Possession

On September 19, 2010, Bruno Mars was arrested in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Casino for possession of cocaine, leading to legal consequences and a period of probation and community service.

2010: Acknowledging Hawaiian Roots

In 2010, Bruno Mars acknowledged his Hawaiian roots and musical family as a significant influence on his life and music.

2011: Began Dating Jessica Caban

In 2011, Bruno Mars began dating model Jessica Caban, marking the start of a long-term relationship.

January 2012: Cocaine Possession Charges Dismissed

In January 2012, Bruno Mars' cocaine-possession charges were dismissed after his attorneys informed a state court judge that he had completed community service and met the conditions of a plea deal reached a year earlier.

May 31, 2013: Learned of Mother's Illness

On May 31, 2013, Bruno Mars learned at the airport while returning to Los Angeles that his mother was gravely ill, prompting him to immediately fly to Hawaii.

June 7, 2013: Tweet about Mother's Loss

On June 7, 2013, Bruno Mars shared his feelings about the loss of his mother on Twitter, expressing gratitude for the support he received during this difficult time.

2013: Invested in NJOY electronic-cigarette company

In 2013, Bruno Mars tweeted about smoking an electronic cigarette and invested in the NJOY electronic-cigarette company to help him quit smoking for his mother, showing his personal motivations behind his investments.

2014: Donated to Typhoon Haiyan victims and performed at charity events

In 2014, Bruno Mars donated $100,000 to the orphans of Bantay Bata, who were among the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. He also performed at the Make It Right concert and the Robin Hood Foundation's annual benefit, contributing to various charitable causes.

2014: Hawaii Senate Resolution 12 (Bruno Mars Act)

In 2014, after Bruno Mars' Super Bowl performance, Hawaii Senate president Donna Mercado Kim introduced Senate Resolution 12, also known as the Bruno Mars Act, to limit ticket purchases near the on-sale date to physical box offices to combat ticket scalping, though the law ultimately failed to pass.

2017: Donated to Flint water crisis victims and participated in relief initiative

In 2017, Bruno Mars and Live Nation donated one million dollars from the show at Auburn Hills, Michigan's Palace to help victims of the Flint water crisis. Mars also participated in the "Somos Una Voz" relief initiative to help survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and Mexico's earthquake.

2018: Donated to Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division

In 2018, Bruno Mars donated 24,000 meals to the Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division's 48th annual Thanksgiving Dinner, supporting the community.

2020: Donated to MGM employees and supported youth music education programs

In 2020, Bruno Mars donated $1 million to the MGM Resorts Foundation to assist MGM employees in financial difficulty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also donated autographed microphones to support youth music education programs and created a protest sign for an auction to help families of black women killed by police.

2021: Donated SelvaRey Rum profits and supported neurocognitive disease patients

Until the end of 2021, Bruno Mars donated all profits from SelvaRey Rum to Honolulu Community College's Music & Entertainment Learning Experience. That year he was part of the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love event, whose proceeds support services, care, and resources to patients with neurocognitive diseases and their caregivers.

July 29, 2022: Announced to open the Pinky Ring lounge bar

On July 29, 2022, Bruno Mars was ready to open the Pinky Ring, a lounge bar on the Las Vegas Strip replacing the Lily Bar & Lounge at the Bellagio.

2022: Named co-chair for the Grammy Museum's Campaign for Music Education

In 2022, Bruno Mars, along with other artists, was named a co-chair for the Grammy Museum's Campaign for Music Education to raise funds for the museum's educational programs, aiming to provide free access to music education for young people and students.

October 2023: Announced the Pinky Ring bar to open in early 2024

In October 2023, the Pinky Ring bar was announced to open in early 2024. It is planned to include "moody" lighting, a specialty bar, live music, and DJs.

February 12, 2024: The Pinky Ring bar opened

The Pinky Ring opened on February 12, 2024, with the Hooligans performing every night of its first two weeks. Mars wore a pinky ring to celebrate the opening, created by Tiffany & Co. in yellow gold with the Pinky Ring initials framed in white diamonds on the front and "Pinky Ring 2024" on the back.

March 2024: Reported Debt and Vegas Residency

In March 2024, reports surfaced suggesting that Bruno Mars was $50 million in debt due to gambling losses, potentially explaining his nine-year Vegas residency at Park MGM.

December 2024: Collaborated with Hello Kitty

In December 2024, Bruno Mars and Hello Kitty collaborated to celebrate Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary and the opening of Mars' Park MGM residency. Limited-edition merchandise and themed food and drink was available at Park MGM's Hello Kitty Cafe, and a Hello Kitty meet-and-greet was held that month.

2024: Relationship with Jessica Caban

As of 2024, Bruno Mars and Jessica Caban remained a couple, living together in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills.

2024: Performed a charity concert for flood victims in Brazil

In 2024, Bruno Mars performed a charity concert sponsored by Budweiser Brasil at the Tokio Marine Hall in São Paulo to help victims of the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods.