Early Life and Education of Grimes: A Complete Timeline

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

Claire Elise Boucher, professionally known as Grimes, is a Canadian musician celebrated as a singer, songwriter, and record producer. She is known for experimental music blending various styles including electronic, pop, R&B, and hip hop. Grimes's lyrics often explore science fiction themes and feminist perspectives, and she is known for elaborate music videos with fantasy elements. She has released five studio albums.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

March 17, 1988: Grimes' Birth

On March 17, 1988, Claire Elise Boucher, known professionally as Grimes, was born. She is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Others born on this day/year

2006: Graduation and Enrollment at McGill University

In 2006, Grimes graduated from Lord Byng Secondary School and moved to Montreal to attend McGill University's Bachelor of Arts and Science program.

2006: Moved to Montreal

In 2006, Grimes moved from Vancouver to Montreal and began releasing music independently.

2007: Started Writing Music as Grimes

In 2007, Grimes began writing music under the name Grimes, choosing the genre 'grime' on MySpace without knowing what it was.

2007: Meets Devon Welsh

In 2007, Grimes met Devon Welsh, the lead vocalist of Majical Cloudz, at a first-year dorm party while studying at McGill University.

2009: Houseboat Adventure on the Mississippi River

In 2009, Grimes and a friend attempted to travel down the Mississippi River to New Orleans in a self-built houseboat, which was ultimately impounded by the city of Minneapolis after several mishaps.

December 2010: Expulsion from McGill University

In December 2010, Grimes was expelled from McGill University for skipping classes.

2010: End of relationship with Devon Welsh

In 2010, Grimes' on-and-off relationship with Devon Welsh ended.

2012: Relationship with Jaime Brooks begins

In 2012, Grimes began a relationship with electronic musician Jaime Brooks.

2018: Relationship with Elon Musk begins

In 2018, Grimes began a relationship with Elon Musk after they connected on Twitter over a shared pun relating to Rococo and Roko's basilisk.

2018: Relationship with Jaime Brooks ends

In 2018, Grimes' relationship with Jaime Brooks ended.

May 2020: Birth of son

In May 2020, Grimes gave birth to her son with Elon Musk. They initially named him "X Æ A-12" but changed it to "X Æ A-Xii" to comply with California regulations. The name choice received criticism.

September 2021: Grimes and Musk "semi-separated"

In September 2021, Grimes and Elon Musk "semi-separated".

2021: Birth of daughter via surrogacy

In 2021, Grimes and Elon Musk had a daughter via surrogacy.

January 2022: Grimes refers to Musk as her boyfriend with a fluid relationship

In January 2022, Grimes described her relationship with Elon Musk as fluid, referring to him as her boyfriend.

March 2022: Grimes describes Musk as her "best friend and the love of my life"

In March 2022, Grimes described Elon Musk as her "best friend and the love of my life", despite their fluctuating relationship status.

January 2023: Update on Book 1 and Career Priorities

In January 2023, Grimes provided an update on her delayed sixth album, Book 1, stating that her career was now a 'side quest' and prioritizing her children, friends, and family.

May 2023: Grimes "kinda like[s] the patriarchy"

In May 2023, Grimes stated she "kinda like[s] the patriarchy", viewing it as the driver of civilization while acknowledging its oppressive nature and the broken state of modern systems. Following criticism of her affiliations with far-right figures, she stated she was proud of white culture and wished to emphasize white accomplishments, attracting widespread media criticism.

September 2023: Reports of another son and lawsuit over parental rights

In September 2023, it was reported that Grimes and Elon Musk had another son. Later that month, Grimes sued Musk over parental rights in a California court, with Musk allegedly trying to keep the hearing closed.

March 2024: Relationship with Anyma begins

Since March 2024, Grimes has been in a relationship with American DJ Anyma.

January 2025: Grimes attends party celebrating Donald Trump's second inauguration

In January 2025, Grimes attended a party in Washington, D.C., alongside Curtis Yarvin, celebrating the second inauguration of Donald Trump.

February 2025: Criticism of Musk and denouncement of Nazism

In February 2025, Grimes criticized Elon Musk for bringing their eldest son to public events, after he was photographed in the Oval Office. In early 2025, she also denounced Nazism and the "far alt-right" under pressure from her fans, after Musk was accused of performing a Nazi salute during Donald Trump's second inauguration.