Early Life and Education of Gabrielle Union: A Complete Timeline

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

Gabrielle Union is an American actress who began her career in the 1990s with television sitcom appearances before transitioning to supporting roles in teen films like "She's All That" and "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1999. She achieved widespread recognition and a breakthrough role in the 2000 teen film "Bring It On."

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1999: Union met Chris Howard

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

May 5, 2001: Union married Chris Howard

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

October 2005: Union separated from Chris Howard

In October 2005, Gabrielle Union separated from Chris Howard.

2006: Union's divorce from Chris Howard finalized

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

2008: Union started dating Dwyane Wade

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

2008: Union supported Barack Obama in his presidential campaign

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

February 2012: Union subjected to hair patdown at airport

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: Union ran in the 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: Union calls on Mitt 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: Union became a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood and launched the Women Are Watching campaign

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: Union's response to Zimmerman's acquittal

In July 2013, after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the Trayvon Martin case, Gabrielle Union remarked, "Apparently walking while black is a crime punishable by death."

August 23, 2013: Union unveils limited-edition 1963 March on Washington stamp

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

July 8, 2014: Union seeks information on Tanganyika Williams' murder

On July 8, 2014, after the murder of Tanganyika Williams, the aunt of NBA player Matt Barnes, Gabrielle Union used Instagram and Twitter to ask for information regarding Tanganyika's killer to be reported to authorities.

August 30, 2014: Union married Dwyane Wade

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

October 2014: Union to design 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: Announcement of "Take a Stand" campaign and short film

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

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November 7, 2018: Birth of Kaavia James Wade

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

2020: Union collaborated with JusticeLA to create a PSA about the health of people in L.A. County jails

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

2020: Union named in Time 100 list and encourages users to use VoteRiders

In 2020, Gabrielle Union was named in the Time 100 list of most influential people and encouraged Facebook users to make sure they had everything they needed to make their vote count by seeking out VoteRiders.