Early Life and Education of Justin Timberlake: A Complete Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Justin Timberlake. A timeline of key moments.
Justin Timberlake is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and dancer, often called the "Prince of Pop." Billboard recognized him as a top-performing solo act and a leading pop star of the 21st century. He is among the best-selling music artists ever, with over 117 million records sold globally. Timberlake's accolades include ten Grammy Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, three Brit Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, the Contemporary Icon Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and MTV's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
January 31, 1981: Birth of Justin Timberlake
On January 31, 1981, Justin Randall Timberlake was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He is now known as an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and dancer.
1993: Joined The All New Mickey Mouse Club
In 1993, Justin Timberlake joined The All New Mickey Mouse Club, where he worked with future stars like Britney Spears and Ryan Gosling.
1997: Loss of Half-Sister Laura Katherine
In 1997, Justin Timberlake's half-sister, Laura Katherine, passed away shortly after birth. She is mentioned in his acknowledgments in the album NSYNC.
1999: Beginning Relationship with Britney Spears
In early 1999, Justin Timberlake began dating fellow former The All New Mickey Mouse Club cast member and singer Britney Spears.
2000: Britney Spears' Abortion
In late 2000, Britney Spears became pregnant during her relationship with Justin Timberlake. According to her 2023 memoir, she had an abortion after Timberlake said they were not prepared for parenthood and he did not want to be a father.
2001: Writing "Gone" for Michael Jackson
Around 2001, Justin Timberlake originally wrote the single "Gone" for Michael Jackson. Although Jackson turned it down, the event boosted Timberlake's confidence to pursue a solo career.
2001: Creation of the Justin Timberlake Foundation
Since 2001, Justin Timberlake has been active in several charitable pursuits through his "Justin Timberlake Foundation", which initially funded music education programs in schools, but now has a much broader agenda.
March 2002: End of Relationship with Britney Spears
In March 2002, Justin Timberlake's relationship with Britney Spears ended abruptly.
July 2002: Purchase of Hollywood Hills Mansion
In July 2002, Justin Timberlake purchased a 13,250-square-foot mansion in Hollywood Hills for $8.3 million.
2002: Dissolution of NSYNC
By 2002, NSYNC went on an indefinite hiatus as members started focusing on individual projects, leading Justin Timberlake to partner with Pharrell Williams and Timbaland for his solo career.
2002: NSYNC's Indefinite Hiatus
In 2002, NSYNC went on an indefinite hiatus after completing the Celebrity Tour, marking a transition for Justin Timberlake's career.
2002: First Celebrity on Punk'd
Near the end of 2002, Justin Timberlake was the first celebrity to appear on Ashton Kutcher's show "Punk'd", where he was pranked.
April 2003: Beginning Relationship with Cameron Diaz
In April 2003, Justin Timberlake began a relationship with actress Cameron Diaz soon after they met at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
2003: Opening of "Chi" Restaurant
In 2003, Justin Timberlake co-owned and opened the restaurant "Chi" in West Hollywood, California.
May 5, 2005: Throat Surgery
On May 5, 2005, Justin Timberlake underwent surgery to remove nodules from his throat and was advised not to sing or speak loudly for a few months.
2005: Launch of William Rast Clothing Line
In 2005, Justin Timberlake launched the William Rast clothing line with his childhood friend Juan ("Trace") Ayala.
December 2006: End of Relationship with Cameron Diaz
In December 2006, Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz split shortly after she introduced him as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
2006: Opening of "Destino" Restaurant
In 2006, Justin Timberlake co-owned and opened the restaurant "Destino" in New York.
January 2007: Beginning Relationship with Jessica Biel
In January 2007, Justin Timberlake began dating actress Jessica Biel.
November 2007: Donation to Wildlife Warriors
In November 2007, Justin Timberlake donated $100,000 from his Australian tour takings to Wildlife Warriors founded by Steve Irwin.
November 2007: FutureSex/LoveSounds Tour Ends & Film Career Resumes
In November 2007, Justin Timberlake wrapped up the FutureSex/LoveSounds tour and resumed his film career with roles in movies like The Love Guru and The Open Road.
2007: Opening of "Southern Hospitality" Restaurant
In 2007, Justin Timberlake co-owned and opened the restaurant "Southern Hospitality" in New York.
March 23, 2008: Donations to Memphis Museums
On March 23, 2008, Justin Timberlake donated $100,000 to the Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum and another $100,000 to the Memphis Music Foundation.
2008: Hosting the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
In 2008, Justin Timberlake hosted the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
July 25, 2009: Reopening of Mirimichi Golf Course
On July 25, 2009, Justin Timberlake reopened the redeveloped Big Creek Golf Course as the eco-friendly Mirimichi Golf Course in Millington, Tennessee.
2009: Contribution to Shriners Hospitals
In 2009, Justin Timberlake's contribution to Shriners Hospitals for Children was the single most valuable celebrity endorsement in the U.S., worth over $US9 million.
January 15, 2010: Closure of Mirimichi Golf Course for Improvements
On January 15, 2010, Justin Timberlake's Mirimichi Golf Course closed again for further improvements.
2010: Purchase of SoHo Unit
In 2010, Justin Timberlake bought a unit at 311 West Broadway in SoHo for $6.56 million.
2010: Participation in Hope for Haiti Now Telethon
In 2010, Justin Timberlake participated in the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, performing "Hallelujah".
July 2011: Marine Asks Timberlake to Birthday Ball
In July 2011, United States Marine Kelsey De Santis invited Justin Timberlake to be her date to the United States Marine Corps birthday ball via a YouTube video.
November 13, 2011: Attended Marine Corps Birthday Ball
On November 13, 2011, Justin Timberlake attended the United States Marine Corps birthday ball with Kelsey De Santis in Richmond, Virginia.
December 2011: Engagement to Jessica Biel
In December 2011, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel became engaged.
2011: Support for LGBT Equality
After New York legalized same-sex marriage in 2011, Justin Timberlake voiced his support for LGBT equality in the U.S.
October 19, 2012: Marriage to Jessica Biel
On October 19, 2012, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel married at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Fasano, Italy.
2012: End of Involvement with Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
In 2012, Justin Timberlake ended his involvement with the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
2012: Volunteer Work After Hurricane Sandy
In late 2012, Justin Timberlake and his wife Jessica Biel volunteered in Far Rockaway, Queens over the weekend after Hurricane Sandy, helping distribute supplies to the community.
April 2015: Birth of First Child
In April 2015, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel welcomed their first child, a son.
2015: Purchase of House in Yellowstone Club
In 2015, Timberlake purchased a house in the Yellowstone Club near Big Sky, Montana.
2016: Featured in New Version of "Where Is the Love?"
In 2016, Justin Timberlake was featured in a new version of "Where Is the Love?", with proceeds going to educational programs.
2016: Influence on Tennessee Voting Law
In 2016, following controversy over Timberlake's voting booth selfie, Senator Brian Kelsey brought up a bill to allow photos in Tennessee voting poll stations.
May 2017: Purchase of Penthouse in Tribeca
In May 2017, Justin Timberlake and his wife, Jessica Biel, paid $20.2 million for a penthouse unit at 443 Greenwich Street in Tribeca, Manhattan.
2017: Fundraising for Manchester Arena Bombing Victims
In 2017, Justin Timberlake helped raise over $2 million for Manchester Arena bombing victims.
October 2018: Debut of Levi's Collaboration "Fresh Leaves"
In October 2018, Justin Timberlake and Levi's debuted their collaborative clothing line collection "Fresh Leaves".
October 30, 2018: Release of Autobiography
On October 30, 2018, Justin Timberlake's autobiography, Hindsight & All the Things I Can't See In Front of Me, was released.
2018: Sale of SoHo Unit at a Loss
In 2018, Justin Timberlake sold his SoHo unit for $6.35 million, incurring a loss from the original purchase price.
May 2019: Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music
In May 2019, Justin Timberlake received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music, alongside Missy Elliott and Alex Lacamoire at the ceremony.
2019: Awards from Songwriters Hall of Fame and Berklee College of Music
In 2019, Justin Timberlake received a Contemporary Icon Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music.
July 2020: Birth of Second Child
In July 2020, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel had their second son.
June 2021: Support for Britney Spears
In June 2021, Justin Timberlake publicly supported Britney Spears during her court battle over her conservatorship.
2022: Investment in Greenville 3's Golf Course
In 2022, Justin Timberlake invested in Greenville, South Carolina par-3 golf course Greenville 3's.
2023: Spears' Memoir Details Abortion
In her 2023 memoir, Britney Spears wrote that she became pregnant during their relationship with Justin Timberlake and had an abortion in late 2000 after Timberlake said they were not prepared for parenthood and he did not want to be a father.
June 18, 2024: Arrest for Driving While Intoxicated
Shortly after midnight on June 18, 2024, Justin Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York for driving while intoxicated (DWI). He was also cited for running a stop sign and failure to keep in lane.
June 21, 2024: Concert in Chicago Following Arrest
Despite his recent arrest, Justin Timberlake performed a concert in Chicago on June 21, 2024, where he appeared to address the arrest, saying "We've been through ups and downs and lefts and rights... It's been a tough week - but you're here, and I'm here...I know sometimes I'm hard to love, but you keep on loving me and I love you right back."
June 22, 2024: Bartender Confirmation of One Martini and Arrest Report Details
On June 22, 2024, bartender employees at the hotel where Justin Timberlake was staying before his DWI arrest confirmed to People that he only had one martini while at the hotel bar. However, the arrest report stated that his eyes were bloodshot, and he performed poorly on sobriety tests.
July 26, 2024: Scheduled Court Appearance
Justin Timberlake was scheduled to return to court on July 26, 2024, following his arrest for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
August 9, 2024: Scheduled Court Hearing
Justin Timberlake was scheduled to have another hearing on August 9, 2024, but he was not required to attend this court hearing.
September 11, 2024: Plea Deal Revealed
On September 11, 2024, it was revealed that Justin Timberlake would plead guilty to a less serious traffic offense during his September 13 court appearance, with the DWI charge being dropped.
September 13, 2024: Guilty Plea to Driving While Impaired
On September 13, 2024, Justin Timberlake pled guilty to a noncriminal driving while impaired traffic violation. Irace then sentenced Justin Timberlake to a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge, 25 hours of community service at the nonprofit of his choosing and required him to make a public safety announcement. It also revealed that Justin Timberlake's refusal to take a breathlyzer automatically triggered a suspension of his driver's license under New York state law.
