Early Life and Education of Lady Gaga: A Complete Timeline

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

Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, is a highly influential American singer, songwriter, and actress renowned for her constant image reinventions and versatility. A best-selling music artist with approximately 124 million records sold, she has been recognized by Billboard and Rolling Stone as one of the greatest artists ever. Her impact spans music, film, and fashion, solidifying her status as a pop culture icon.

Sections (5)

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

March 28, 1986: Lady Gaga's Birth

On March 28, 1986, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, was born. She is an American singer, songwriter, and actress.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Admission to Collaborative Arts Project 21

In 2003, Lady Gaga gained early admission to Collaborative Arts Project 21, a music school at New York University (NYU)'s Tisch School of the Arts.

2005: Withdrawal from NYU and Appearance on MTV's Boiling Points

In 2005, Lady Gaga withdrew from New York University to focus on her music career. She also appeared on MTV's prank reality television show, 'Boiling Points'.

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2005: Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage

The Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage was made in 2005. In 2021, Lady Gaga collaborated with Dom Pérignon to benefit the BTWF by releasing a limited edition of Rosé Vintage 2005 bottles along with a sculpture designed by her. The 110 exclusive pieces were sold at private sales, and the profit of $570,000 was donated to the foundation.

January 2007: End of Relationship with Rob Fusari

In January 2007, Lady Gaga's relationship with producer Rob Fusari ended.

2009: Speech at National Equality March

In 2009, Lady Gaga spoke at the National Equality March in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the LGBTQ rights movement.

2009: Lady Gaga dismisses intersex claim in Barbara Walters interview

In 2009, during an interview with Barbara Walters, Lady Gaga dismissed claims that she is intersex as an urban legend and expressed her fondness for androgyny.

September 2010: Advocacy at MTV Video Music Awards and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Rally

In September 2010, Lady Gaga attended the MTV Video Music Awards with gay and lesbian former members of the United States Armed Forces to protest the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. She also spoke at a Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's rally in Portland, Maine.

2010: University of Virginia Writing Course: GaGa for Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity

During its Fall 2010 semester, the University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences introduced a writing course titled "GaGa for Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity", focusing on Gaga's influence on gender and sexual identity.

2010: Friendship with Alexander McQueen

Lady Gaga became friends with British fashion designer Alexander McQueen shortly before his suicide in 2010, and became known for wearing his designs.

June 2011: Appearance at Europride in Rome

In June 2011, Lady Gaga appeared at Europride in Rome, criticizing the state of gay rights in many European countries and calling gay people "revolutionaries of love".

July 2011: Relationship with Taylor Kinney

In July 2011, Lady Gaga met and started dating actor Taylor Kinney while filming the "You and I" music video.

2011: Lady Gaga Day in Taichung, Taiwan

In Taichung, Taiwan, July 3 is designated as "Lady Gaga Day", marking the first day Lady Gaga visited the country in 2011.

2011: University of South Carolina Course: Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame

In early 2011, sociologist Mathieu Deflem of the University of South Carolina launched a course titled "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame" to explore sociologically relevant dimensions of her fame.

2012: Endorsement of Barack Obama

In 2012, Lady Gaga endorsed Barack Obama during the US presidential election. This happened after she met with then-President Barack Obama in 2011 to address anti-gay bullying in American schools following Jamey Rodemeyer's suicide.

2014: Gaga Discusses Being Raped

In a 2014 interview, Lady Gaga discussed being raped at age 19 by her producer, and later undergoing mental and physical therapy for this. She has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attributes it to the incident. Gaga credited support from doctors, family, and friends with helping her.

February 2015: Engagement to Taylor Kinney

In February 2015, Lady Gaga became engaged to Taylor Kinney.

June 2016: Vigil for Pulse Nightclub Victims

In June 2016, Lady Gaga attended a vigil in Los Angeles for the victims of the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando, reading the names of the 49 people killed and giving a speech. She also appeared in Human Rights Campaign's tribute video.

2018: Opposition to Donald Trump's Policies

In 2018, Lady Gaga supported the March for Our Lives gun-control rally and opposed Donald Trump's presidency and his military transgender ban. She also condemned his administration's attempt to change the legal definition of sex and supported the #WontBeErased campaign.

2018: Partnership with World Kindness Day Foundation

In 2018, on World Kindness Day, Lady Gaga partnered with the World Kindness Day Foundation to provide food and relief to a Red Cross shelter for those displaced by the California wildfires. The foundation also collaborated with Starbucks and SoulCycle to thank California firefighters.

January 2019: Criticism of Vice President Mike Pence

In January 2019, during an Enigma show, Lady Gaga criticized Vice President Mike Pence for his wife's employment at an evangelical Christian school that turned away LGBTQ people.

February 2019: End of Engagement to Christian Carino

In February 2019, Lady Gaga ended her engagement to talent agent Christian Carino.

March 2019: Launch of Teen Mental Health First Aid Project

In March 2019, Lady Gaga announced the launch of a new pilot program for a teen mental health first aid project with the National Council for Behavioral Health, in a letter to supporters of the Born This Way Foundation. She also shared her personal struggles with mental health, and how support saved her life.

September 2020: Release of Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community

In September 2020, Lady Gaga released an anthology book titled Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community, featuring fifty-one stories from young people collected by the Born This Way Foundation. She promoted the book with a 21 days of kindness challenge on social media.

Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community

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January 20, 2021: Singing at Presidential Inauguration

On January 20, 2021, Lady Gaga sang the US national anthem during Joe Biden's inauguration as the country's 46th President.

February 2021: Dog Walker Shooting and Dog Theft

In February 2021, Lady Gaga's dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was shot in Hollywood, and two of her French Bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen.

May 2021: "Born This Way Day" in West Hollywood

In May 2021, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Born This Way and its cultural impact, West Hollywood mayor Lindsey P. Horvath, presented Lady Gaga with a key to the city and declared May 23 as "Born This Way Day".

2021: Collaboration with Dom Pérignon and Release of The Power of Kindness

In 2021, Lady Gaga collaborated with Champagne house Dom Pérignon to benefit the Born This Way Foundation, releasing a limited edition of Rosé Vintage 2005 bottles and a sculpture. She also released a 30-minute special called The Power of Kindness as part of the foundation's Channel Kindness program, exploring the connection between kindness and mental health on the 2021 World Kindness Day.

December 2022: Sentencing of Ryan Fischer's shooter

In December 2022, James Howard Jackson, the man who shot Lady Gaga's dog walker Ryan Fischer, was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

April 2024: Engagement to Michael Polansky

In April 2024, Lady Gaga became engaged to venture capitalist Michael Polansky.

2024: Support for Transgender Community After Trump's Win

Following Donald Trump's win in the 2024 US presidential election, after she endorsed Kamala Harris, Lady Gaga voiced her support for the transgender community after his rollback of their protections.