Childhood and Education Journey of George Michael in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of George Michael, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

George Michael was a highly influential English singer-songwriter and record producer, considered a pop culture icon. He achieved fame as part of the duo Wham! in the 1980s before embarking on a successful solo career. Known for his distinctive voice, songwriting talent, and captivating stage presence, Michael sold over 100 million records worldwide. His hit songs include "Careless Whisper," "Faith," and "Freedom! '90." Beyond his music, he was recognized for his philanthropy and later, struggles with personal issues that were often covered by the media. His impact on pop music and culture remains significant.

Sections (7)

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

1937: Birth of Lesley Angold Harrison

In 1937, Lesley Angold Harrison, George Michael's mother, was born. She later married Kyriacos Panayiotou and raised George Michael.

1958: Birth of Yioda Panayiotou

In 1958, Yioda Panayiotou, George Michael's sister, was born, becoming part of his family life.

1960: Birth of Melanie Panayiotou

In 1960, Melanie Panayiotou, George Michael's sister, was born, becoming a member of his family.

June 1963: Birth of George Michael

In June 1963, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, known as George Michael, was born in East Finchley to Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou and Lesley Angold.

June 1963: George Michael's Birth

On June 1963, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, later known as George Michael, was born in East Finchley, England. He became a renowned English singer-songwriter and record producer.

1972: Stevie Wonder releases "You and I"

In 1972, Stevie Wonder originally released his song "You and I".

1981: Formation of Wham!

In 1981, George Michael formed the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley, marking the start of his professional music career.

April 1985: Wham!'s Tour of China

In April 1985, Wham!'s tour of China, the first visit by a Western popular music act, garnered worldwide media coverage and was a historical event.

June 1986: Wham! Officially Separates

In June 1986, Wham! officially separated, with the commercially successful single "The Edge of Heaven" reaching No. 1 on the UK chart.

1987: New Order original release of "True Faith"

In 1987, the band New Order originally released their song "True Faith".

1991: Radio play for "Mother's Pride" during Persian Gulf War

In 1991, "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio play in the US during the first Persian Gulf War. Radio stations often mixed in callers' tributes to soldiers with the music.

1991: Cover to Cover Tour and Autobiography

In 1991, George Michael embarked on the Cover to Cover tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brazil, including a performance at Rock in Rio. Also in 1991, Michael released his autobiography through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Tony Parsons.

George Michael: Bare by TONY PARSONS' 'GEORGE MICHAEL (1990-05-03)

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1991: Relationship with Anselmo Feleppa

In 1991, George Michael started a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian dress designer, after meeting him at the Rock in Rio concert in January.

March 1993: Death of Anselmo Feleppa

In March 1993, Anselmo Feleppa, George Michael's lover, passed away. The song "Jesus to a Child" was later dedicated to him.

November 1994: Performance of "Jesus to a Child" at MTV Europe Music Awards

In November 1994, after a long period of seclusion, George Michael appeared at the first MTV Europe Music Awards show, where he performed a new song, "Jesus to a Child", as a tribute to Anselmo Feleppa.

1996: Relationship with Kenny Goss

In 1996, George Michael began a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a former flight attendant, cheerleading coach, and sportswear executive from Dallas, Texas.

1997: "Candle in the Wind 1997" Overtakes "Do They Know It's Christmas?" as Biggest-Selling Single

In 1997, Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997", released in tribute to Princess Diana, overtook "Do They Know It's Christmas?" as the biggest-selling single in UK chart history.

1997: Death of Lesley Angold Harrison

In 1997, Lesley Angold (Harrison), George Michael's mother, died, marking a personal loss for the singer.

April 1998: Arrest for public lewdness

In April 1998, George Michael's homosexuality became publicly known following his arrest for public lewdness.

April 1998: Arrest for lewd act in public restroom

On 7 April 1998, George Michael was arrested for "engaging in a lewd act" in a public restroom of the Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California, in a sting operation by an undercover policeman.

1998: Coming Out

In 1998, George Michael confirmed that he was homosexual.

1998: George Michael Comes Out as Gay

In 1998, George Michael publicly came out as gay, becoming an active LGBT rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser.

1998: Public statement on sexuality

In 1998, after being outed, George Michael said on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when he fell in love with a man.

1999: Lawsuit filed by Marcelo Rodríguez

In 1999, Marcelo Rodríguez, the undercover policeman who arrested George Michael, brought a US$10 million court case in California against the singer, claiming slander and that Michael's video "mocked" him.

1999: Interview with The Advocate

In a 1999 interview with The Advocate, George Michael stated that falling in love with a man ended his conflict over bisexuality, confirming he was gay.

December 2002: Appellate court reinstated lawsuit

On 3 December 2002, an appellate court reinstated the US$10 million court case brought by Marcelo Rodríguez against George Michael after the initial court dismissed it.

May 2004: Appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show

On May 26, 2004, George Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote his album, Patience, performing "Amazing", "Father Figure", and "Faith". He also spoke about his arrest and the public revelation of his homosexuality.

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2004: Statements on past relationships with women

In 2004, George Michael discussed his past relationships with women during the Wham! days, his feelings about them, and his decision to stop due to concerns about AIDS and the responsibility of disclosing his bisexuality.

November 2005: Plans for civil partnership

In November 2005, it was reported that George Michael and Kenny Goss planned to register their relationship as a civil partnership in the UK, but postponed the plans.

2005: Patron of Swan Lifeline Charity

From 2005 until his death, George Michael was a patron of the Swan Lifeline charity, becoming involved after moving to his home in Highgate and learning about the charity through a neighbor.

2005: Release of A Different Story

In 2005, the documentary A Different Story, which covered George Michael's career and personal life, was released, providing insight into his journey.

February 2006: Arrest for drug possession

In February 2006, George Michael was arrested for possession of Class C drugs and cautioned by the police.

July 2006: Accusation of public sex

On 23 July 2006, George Michael was again accused of engaging in anonymous public sex, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.

2006: Arrest for Drug-Related Offences

In 2006, George Michael was arrested for drug-related offences, marking a period of struggle with substance abuse.

September 2007: Cannabis Use Admission on Desert Island Discs

In September 2007, George Michael admitted on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs that his cannabis use was a problem and that he wished to reduce his consumption.

2007: Guilty plea to drug-impaired driving

In 2007, George Michael pleaded guilty to drug-impaired driving after obstructing the road at traffic lights in Cricklewood, London, and was banned from driving for two years and sentenced to community service.

2007: Worries over mother's reaction to sexuality

In 2007, George Michael said he had hidden his sexuality because of worries over what effect it might have on his mother.

2007: Statement on hiding sexuality

In 2007, George Michael said that hiding his sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', and his eventual outing in 1998 was a subconsciously deliberate act.

June 2008: Disclosure of Jewish Heritage

In June 2008, George Michael revealed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that his maternal grandmother was Jewish, but the family did not practice Judaism due to her fears during World War II.

June 2008: George Michael expresses excitement regarding California's legalisation of same-sex marriage

On June 17, 2008, George Michael publicly expressed his excitement about California's legalisation of same-sex marriage, stating that it was "way overdue".

September 2008: Arrested for drug possession

On 19 September 2008, George Michael was arrested in a public convenience in the Hampstead Heath area for possession of Class A and C drugs and cautioned by the police.

2008: Arrest for Drug-Related Offences

In 2008, George Michael faced another arrest for drug-related offences, highlighting his ongoing battle with substance abuse.

2008: Michael's feelings after Feleppa's death

In 2008, George Michael spoke about the terribly depressing time after losing his partner Anselmo Feleppa to an AIDS-related illness.

December 2009: Interview with The Guardian about Cutting Back on Cannabis

In December 2009, George Michael stated in an interview with The Guardian that he had reduced his cannabis consumption to "seven or eight" spliffs per day, a significant decrease from his previous habit of 25 per day.

July 2010: Arrest for crashing car

In July 2010, George Michael crashed his car into a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, London, and was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive.

August 2010: Charged with possession of cannabis and driving while unfit

In August 2010, George Michael was charged with possession of cannabis and with driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

September 2010: Sentenced to prison

In September 2010, George Michael pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, and a five-year ban from driving.

October 2010: Released from prison

In October 2010, George Michael was released from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk after serving four weeks of his sentence for driving under the influence.

2010: Anonymous IVF Treatment Payment

In 2010, George Michael anonymously paid for IVF treatment for a woman after she discussed her difficulties conceiving on an episode of 'This Morning'.

2010: Arrest for Drug-Related Offences

In 2010, George Michael was arrested for drug-related offences, continuing his struggle with substance abuse.

August 2011: Split with Kenny Goss announced

On 22 August 2011, George Michael announced that he and Kenny Goss had split two years earlier.

October 2011: Royal Albert Hall Performance Cancelled Due to Viral Infection

In October 2011, George Michael had to cancel a scheduled performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London due to a viral infection.

2011: Michael's Coma During Pneumonia Bout

In 2011, George Michael fell into a coma during a bout with pneumonia, but he later recovered, marking a challenging period in his health.

October 2012: Final concert of the Symphonica Tour

On 17 October 2012, the final concert of George Michael's Symphonica Tour, which was also the final concert of his life, was performed at London's Earls Court.

2012: Relationship with Fadi Fawaz

In 2012, George Michael entered a relationship with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance photographer based in London.

2012: Birth of Daughter following IVF Treatment

In 2012, a woman gave birth to a baby girl after George Michael anonymously paid for her IVF treatment in 2010.

May 2013: Car Accident on M1 Motorway

On May 16, 2013, George Michael sustained a head injury in a car accident on the M1 motorway near St Albans in Hertfordshire and was subsequently airlifted to a hospital.

July 2014: Reported Celebrity Investor in Tax Avoidance Scheme

In July 2014, George Michael was reported to have been a celebrity investor in a tax avoidance scheme called Liberty.

2014: Refrained from Cannabis Use

In 2014, George Michael stated he had refrained from using cannabis for one and one half years.

June 2015: Checked into Drug Rehabilitation Facility

In June 2015, George Michael checked into a drug rehabilitation facility in Switzerland, seeking treatment for substance abuse.

2015: Worth £105 Million

According to the Sunday Times Rich List of the wealthiest British musicians in 2015, George Michael was worth £105 million.

November 2016: Announcement of a second documentary

In November 2016, George Michael's management team announced that a second documentary on his life, entitled Freedom, was set to be released in March 2017.

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2016: Death of George Michael

In 2016, on Christmas Day, George Michael died of heart disease at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, marking the end of his life and career.

2016: Fadi Fawaz found Michael's body

On Christmas morning 2016, Fadi Fawaz found George Michael's body.

January 2017: Anonymous IVF Payment Revealed

In January 2017, following George Michael's death, a woman revealed (with his family's permission) that he had anonymously paid for her IVF treatment after seeing her on an episode of 'This Morning' in 2010.

March 2017: George Michael's Funeral

Due to delays in determining the cause of death, George Michael's funeral was held on March 29, 2017. He was buried in a private ceremony at Highgate Cemetery in north London, next to his mother's grave.

2017: Temporary Memorial Garden Created

In the summer of 2017, a temporary informal memorial garden was created outside George Michael's former home in The Grove, Highgate. Fans tended to the site for approximately eighteen months.