Early Life and Education of Carrie Underwood: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Carrie Underwood, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Carrie Underwood is an American singer-songwriter who gained fame after winning American Idol in 2005. Her debut single, "Inside Your Heaven," made history as the first country artist to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album, "Some Hearts" (2005), became the best-selling debut album by a female country artist and earned her three Grammy Awards. Subsequent albums like "Carnival Ride" (2007) and "Play On" (2009), which featured the hit "Cowboy Casanova", further solidified her success in the music industry.

Sections (5)

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

March 10, 1983: Birth of Carrie Underwood

On March 10, 1983, Carrie Marie Underwood was born. She is an American singer and songwriter who rose to fame after winning American Idol.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Capitol Records Contract Cancellation

In 1997, when Carrie Underwood was 14, Capitol Records was preparing a contract for her, but it was canceled due to changes in company management. She later expressed that it was better that nothing came of it at the time.

2001: Graduation from Checotah High School

In 2001, Carrie Underwood graduated from Checotah High School as salutatorian. Initially, she didn't pursue singing after graduation, focusing instead on preparing for a future in the 'real world'.

2004: American Idol Audition

In 2004, Carrie Underwood auditioned for American Idol in St. Louis, Missouri.

2004: Miss NSU Runner-Up

In 2004, Carrie Underwood competed in numerous beauty pageants at Northeastern State University and was selected as Miss NSU runner-up.

2005: Named "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" by PETA

In 2005, Carrie Underwood was named "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" by PETA, alongside Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

2006: Graduation from Northeastern State University

In 2006, Carrie Underwood graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern State University with a bachelor's degree in mass communication and an emphasis in journalism.

2007: Adoption of Dog, Ace

In 2007 Carrie Underwood adopted her dog, Ace.

2007: Named "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" by PETA

In 2007, Carrie Underwood was voted "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" by PETA for the second time. She had previously received the title in 2005, alongside Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

August 2008: Recording of "Just Stand Up!"

In August 2008, Carrie Underwood collaborated with Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Miley Cyrus, and other female artists to record the song "Just Stand Up!" The proceeds from the song were donated to Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) and helped raise $73.6 million for groundbreaking cancer research. The song reached number 11 on Billboard's Hot 100 Songs.

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October 22, 2008: Unveiling of Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds New York

On October 22, 2008, Carrie Underwood's wax figure was unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York.

2008: Linked to Mike Fisher

In late 2008, Carrie Underwood was first linked to NHL player Mike Fisher after they met at one of her concerts.

December 2009: Engagement to Mike Fisher

In December 2009, Carrie Underwood and NHL player Mike Fisher became engaged after meeting at one of her concerts in late 2008. Fisher proposed on December 20, 2009, in Ottawa with a yellow diamond engagement ring valued at $150,000.

December 20, 2009: Engagement to Mike Fisher

On December 20, 2009, Mike Fisher proposed to Carrie Underwood in Ottawa with a yellow diamond engagement ring valued at $150,000.

2009: Underwood establishes the Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation

In 2009, Carrie Underwood established the Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation. The foundation helps with general causes, needs and services in the area of Checotah to directly impact the community.

2009: Checotah Animal, Town & School Foundation Partnership

In 2009, Carrie Underwood's foundation, "Checotah Animal, Town & School Foundation," and the Academy of Country Music foundation, "ACM Lifting Lives," partnered to donate new instruments valued at over $120,000 to music programs for students in Checotah, Oklahoma. Underwood held a surprise concert and unveiled the gifts, which were ordered through Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs. The instruments were shared throughout the Checotah school district.

January 2010: Partnership with Country Cares for St. Jude Kids

In January 2010, Carrie Underwood partnered with Country Cares for St. Jude Kids, visiting the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

March 29, 2010: Partnership with Pedigree to Donate to Animal Shelter

On March 29, 2010, Carrie Underwood and Pedigree partnered to donate $10,000 to a New York City Animal Shelter.

May 2010: Selection on People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People List and Sexiest Legs in Hollywood

In May 2010, Carrie Underwood was selected on People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People List for the fourth consecutive year. Also in May 2010, Victoria's Secret named her legs the Sexiest Legs in Hollywood.

July 10, 2010: Wedding to Mike Fisher

On July 10, 2010, Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher got married at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Greensboro, Georgia, in front of more than 250 guests.

2010: Purchase of Mansion near Ottawa

In 2010, Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher purchased a mansion on eleven acres near Ottawa, in the Spruce Ridge district. The couple later listed the mansion for sale at $2.2 million.

2010: Launch of Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund

In 2010, Carrie Underwood launched the Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund to benefit victims of the Tennessee floods. The Fund was started with grants Underwood received as Entertainer of the Year from ACM. She also collaborated with Brooks and Dunn to record a Public Service Announcement (PSA) in support of the new Fund.

February 2011: Donation to Save the Children

In February 2011, Carrie Underwood donated $140,125 to Save the Children. This initiative was inspired by the "36 cents" lyric in her song "Change" from the album Play On, highlighting how small change can make a difference.

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April 2011: Opening of Happy Paws Animal Shelter

In April 2011, Carrie Underwood opened the Happy Paws Animal Shelter in her hometown.

2011: Checotah Schools Donation

During the 2011 holiday season, Carrie Underwood's foundation donated $350,000 to the Checotah schools.

January 10, 2012: Rescue of Abandoned Dog

On January 10, 2012, it was reported that Carrie Underwood rescued an abandoned dog along a highway, which she had previously blogged about on her official fan-site.

July 2012: Public Support for Same-Sex Marriage

In July 2012, Carrie Underwood publicly supported same-sex marriage, emphasizing that her evangelical church, GracePointe Church in Nashville, was gay-friendly. She expressed her belief that everyone should have the right to love and marry the people they want to love.

2012: Purchase of Cottage Outside of Nashville

In 2012, Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher bought a cottage outside of Nashville, which they used for weekend getaways. Oprah Winfrey toured the cottage and interviewed the couple there for an episode of Oprah's Next Chapter.

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2012: Blown Away Tour Donation to Red Cross

In 2012, Carrie Underwood donated $1 from every ticket sold on the North American leg of her Blown Away Tour to the Canadian and American Red Cross.

April 2013: Opposition to Tennessee "Ag Gag bill"

In April 2013, Carrie Underwood voiced her disapproval of the Tennessee "Ag Gag bill" on Twitter, which criminalized videotaping animal cruelty or abuse without promptly turning over the evidence. She criticized the bill, prompting responses from state representatives. State Representative Andy Holt suggested that she stick to singing, to which Underwood responded that she was just a tax-paying citizen concerned for her family's safety.

May 24, 2013: $1 Million Donation to Red Cross for Oklahoma Tornado Relief

On May 24, 2013, Carrie Underwood donated $1 million in proceeds from her recent Blown Away Tour to the Red Cross for relief efforts in response to the Oklahoma tornado.

November 10, 2013: Carrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour Exhibition Ended

On November 10, 2013, Carrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour Exhibition, which ran from June 5 through November 10, 2013, at the Country Music Hall of Fame, concluded.

2014: Underwood speaks on Freddie Mercury as an influence

In a 2014 interview, Carrie Underwood spoke on the late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, stating, "I've always been a huge fan and lover of Freddie Mercury. I would listen to him when I was a kid. He could do so many amazing things with his voice. People like that — who had incredible voices — I was always drawn to."

February 27, 2015: Birth of First Son

On February 27, 2015, Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher's first son was born.

Others born on this day/year

January 2017: Time off and Album Writing

In January 2017, Carrie Underwood took time off at the beginning of the year to spend time with family and to begin writing for her next album.

April 2017: Madame Tussauds Figure Unveiling

In April 2017, Madame Tussauds unveiled a new figure of Carrie Underwood when the Nashville location opened.

2018: CBS News Interview about Miscarriages and "Cry Pretty"

In 2018, Carrie Underwood shared with CBS News that she had experienced three miscarriages between the births of her two sons. She revealed that these experiences were the inspiration for her song "Cry Pretty," highlighting the struggle of dealing with personal pain while maintaining a public persona.

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January 21, 2019: Birth of Second Son

On January 21, 2019, Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher's second son was born.

Others born on this day/year

April 2022: Passing of Dog, Ace

In April 2022, Carrie Underwood shared the news of the loss of her dog, Ace, whom she had adopted in 2007.

2025: Underwood reveals love for nu metal during American Idol audition

During the audition phase of American Idol in 2025, a contestant sang nu metal songs. Carrie Underwood expressed her excitement and revealed that she listened to a lot of nu metal while in high school.