Childhood and Education Journey of Keira Knightley in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Keira Knightley. From birth to education, explore key events.

Keira Knightley is a celebrated English actress recognized for her versatile performances in both independent films and blockbuster productions, especially period dramas. She has garnered critical acclaim throughout her career, earning nominations for prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards and two British Academy Film Awards. In recognition of her contributions to drama and her charitable work, Knightley was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1970: Setting of Misbehaviour

The film "Misbehaviour", starring Keira Knightley and released in 2020, is set during the 1970 Miss World competition.

March 1985: Keira Knightley Born

Keira Christina Knightley was born on March 26, 1985, in Teddington, London, to stage actors Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald.

Others born on this day/year

1996: The Mount Everest Disaster

The film "Everest", released in 2015 and starring Keira Knightley, was based on the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.

2004: Traveled to Ethiopia for Comic Relief

In 2004, Keira Knightley traveled to Ethiopia alongside Richard Curtis, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Julian Metcalfe on behalf of the Comic Relief charity.

2005: Posed for WaterAid and American Library Association's "Read" Campaign

In 2005, Keira Knightley posed for photos for WaterAid and also for the American Library Association's "Read" campaign (a promotional poster of Pride & Prejudice).

Pride and Prejudice (Penguin Classics)

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2006: Took Break From Acting

In 2006, Keira Knightley took a break from working, suggesting that she wanted to take some time off acting to travel and focus on her personal life.

2006: Dress Donated to Oxfam

In 2006, The dress Keira Knightley wore to the Academy Awards was donated to the charity Oxfam, where it raised £4,300.

2008: Sought Hypnotherapy Before BAFTA Awards

In early 2008, Keira Knightley sought hypnotherapy to prevent panic attacks so she could attend that year's BAFTA Awards, where she was nominated for her performance in Atonement.

April 2009: Appeared in Women's Aid Domestic Abuse Video

In April 2009, Keira Knightley appeared in a video to raise awareness of domestic abuse entitled Cut shot for Women's Aid. The video created controversy, with some sources calling it too graphic, while other groups support the video for showing a realistic depiction of domestic violence.

February 2010: Man Charged with Harassment

In February 2010, a 41-year-old man was charged with harassment after trying to contact Keira Knightley on several occasions outside London's Comedy Theatre, where she was performing in The Misanthrope. The subsequent trial folded after she was unavailable to testify in court.

November 2010: Became Patron of the SMA Trust

In November 2010, Keira Knightley became patron of the SMA Trust, a British charity that funds medical research into the disease spinal muscular atrophy.

May 2013: Married James Righton

On 4 May 2013, Keira Knightley married musician James Righton in Mazan, France.

February 2014: Views on Feminism Published in Harper's Bazaar UK

In February 2014, Keira Knightley's perspectives on feminism were published in an interview with Harper's Bazaar UK, where she discussed the hurdles women face in the film industry and her perplexity regarding the derogatory use of the term 'feminist'.

July 2014: Knightley's career aspirations

In July 2014, Keira Knightley expressed that she had reached the end of the first stage of her career and wanted to move away from playing "neurotic" characters.

July 2014: Travelled to South Sudan for Oxfam

In July 2014, Keira Knightley travelled to South Sudan on behalf of Oxfam to meet refugees of the South Sudanese Civil War and raise awareness of the conflict.

September 2014: Topless Photo Shoot for Interview Magazine

In September 2014, Keira Knightley posed topless for the cover of Interview magazine, stipulating that the image not be digitally altered, in order to highlight how "women's bodies are a battleground and photography is partly to blame."

2015: Birth of First Daughter

In 2015, Keira Knightley and James Righton had their first daughter.

May 2016: Signed Letter to Vote 'Remain' in EU Referendum

In May 2016, Keira Knightley signed a letter imploring Britain to vote 'remain' in the UK EU referendum, along with other notable figures.

September 2016: Appeared in UNHCR Video for Refugee Crisis and Co-hosted Green Carpet Challenge

In September 2016, Keira Knightley appeared in a video from the United Nations' refugee agency UNHCR to help raise awareness of the global refugee crisis. Also in September 2016, Knightley co-hosted A Night to Remember, part of the Green Carpet Challenge, a charity event highlighting sustainability within the fashion industry.

December 2016: Man Sentenced for Harassment and Stalking

In December 2016, another man was sentenced to eight weeks in prison after harassing Keira Knightley outside her home and stalking her.

2016: Advocated for Equal Paternity Leave and Spoke on Childcare Costs

In 2016, Keira Knightley remarked on "how lucky I've been to be able to afford really good childcare, otherwise it would be at least four years out of my career" and advocates equal paternity leave and has spoken about the expense of childcare in England.

September 2017: Traded Stocks for SMA Trust on BGC Charity Day

In September 2017, Keira Knightley traded stocks on behalf of the spinal muscular atrophy charity SMA Trust as part of the BGC Charity Day.

2018: Revealed Mental Breakdown and PTSD Diagnosis

In 2018, Keira Knightley revealed that she had a mental breakdown at age 22 and had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), struggling to adjust to her sudden rise to stardom.

2019: Birth of Second Daughter

In 2019, Keira Knightley and James Righton had their second daughter.

April 2020: Participated in World Health Day Livestream

In April 2020, Keira Knightley participated in a World Health Day livestream to raise money for charity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 2020: Designed Pin Badges for #PinYourThanks Campaign

In June 2020, Keira Knightley and other celebrities designed a range of pin badges for the #PinYourThanks campaign, dedicated to thanking essential workers, with all profits going to NHS Charities Together and Volunteering Matters.