Early Life and Education of Gabrielle Union: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 22, 2026

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Gabrielle Union. A timeline of key moments.

Gabrielle Union is an American actress, model, and author who began her career in the 1990s. After numerous television appearances and supporting roles in teen films like *She's All That* and *10 Things I Hate About You*, she achieved her breakthrough role in the 2000 teen film *Bring It On*.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1999: Meeting Chris Howard

In 1999, Gabrielle Union met NFL player Chris Howard at a party.

May 5, 2001: Marriage to Chris Howard

On May 5, 2001, Gabrielle Union married Chris Howard.

October 2005: Separation from Chris Howard

In October 2005, Gabrielle Union separated from her husband, Chris Howard.

2006: Finalization of Divorce from Chris Howard

In 2006, Gabrielle Union's divorce from Chris Howard was finalized.

2008: Started Dating Dwyane Wade

In 2008, Gabrielle Union began dating NBA player Dwyane Wade.

2008: Support for Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign

In 2008, Gabrielle Union supported Barack Obama in his presidential campaign.

February 2012: Airport Security Incident

In February 2012, Gabrielle Union was identified as a suspicious person by airport security and subjected to a "hair patdown," after which she tweeted a joke about the experience.

June 2, 2012: Global Race for the Cure

On Saturday, June 2, 2012, Gabrielle Union ran in the Global Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C., in honor of her friend Kristen Martinez, who died from breast cancer.

August 2012: Call for Romney to Release Tax Returns

In August 2012, Gabrielle Union called on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to release his tax returns and birth certificate.

2012: Spokesperson for Planned Parenthood's Initiative

In 2012, Gabrielle Union became a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood's breast health initiative and launched the Women Are Watching campaign with other actresses.

July 2013: Response to Zimmerman Acquittal

In July 2013, following George Zimmerman's acquittal in the death of Trayvon Martin, Gabrielle Union remarked, "Apparently walking while black is a crime punishable by death."

August 23, 2013: Unveiling of March on Washington Stamp

On August 23, 2013, Gabrielle Union was present at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., and unveiled a limited-edition 1963 March on Washington stamp to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the march.

July 8, 2014: Calls for Information on Tanganyika Williams' Murder

On July 8, 2014, after the murder of Tanganyika Williams, Matt Barnes' aunt, Gabrielle Union posted on Instagram and Twitter, urging anyone with information to contact authorities.

August 30, 2014: Marriage to Dwyane Wade

On August 30, 2014, Gabrielle Union married Dwyane Wade in Miami, Florida, becoming a stepmother to his three children.

October 2014: Designing T-shirts for Women Are Watching Campaign

In October 2014, it was announced that Gabrielle Union would be designing T-shirts to bring attention to the Women Are Watching campaign.

November 2014: "Take a Stand" Campaign

In November 2014, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed's office announced the "Take a Stand" campaign and its commission of a short film featuring Gabrielle Union and Tika Sumpter.

November 7, 2018: Birth of Daughter Kaavia James Union Wade

On November 7, 2018, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade welcomed their daughter, Kaavia James Union Wade, who was born via surrogate.

2020: Collaboration with JusticeLA

In 2020, Gabrielle Union collaborated with JusticeLA to create a public service announcement, #SuingToSaveLives, concerning the health of people in L.A. County jails during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2023: Move to California due to Anti-LGBTQ Environment in Florida

During an April 2023 interview, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade stated that they moved their family from Florida to California partially due to Florida's anti-LGBTQ environment.