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. She is renowned for her constant image reinventions and versatility, solidifying her place as a major figure in popular music and the broader entertainment industry. Her career encompasses successful ventures in music, film, and television.

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, known for her reinventions and versatility.

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 Boiling Points

In 2005, Lady Gaga withdrew from NYU to focus on her music career. That year, she also appeared on MTV's Boiling Points, a prank reality television show.

Loading Video...

January 2007: End of Relationship with Rob Fusari

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

2009: Barbara Walters interview about intersex rumors

In 2009, Lady Gaga dismissed the claim that she is intersex as an urban legend during an interview with Barbara Walters for her annual ABC News special 10 Most Fascinating People.

2010: University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences 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" exploring gender and sexual identity through the lens of Lady Gaga.

2010: Friendship with Alexander McQueen

In 2010, Lady Gaga became friends with British fashion designer Alexander McQueen shortly before his suicide, and became known for wearing his designs, particularly his towering armadillo shoes.

July 2011: Meeting Taylor Kinney

In July 2011, Lady Gaga met actor Taylor Kinney while filming the music video for "You and I" and began dating him. Kinney played her love interest in the video.

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

In early 2011, the University of South Carolina launched a course titled "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame" to examine the sociological dimensions of Lady Gaga's fame.

2011: Born This Way Foundation creation

The Born This Way Foundation was named after Lady Gaga's 2011 single and album.

July 2012: BTWF partnership with Office Depot

In July 2012, the Born This Way Foundation partnered with Office Depot for a series of limited edition back-to-school products, with 25% of its sales going towards the foundation, for a guaranteed donation of $1 million.

2014: Discussion of Sexual Assault

In a 2014 interview, Lady Gaga discussed being raped at age 19 by her producer, and later undergoing mental and physical therapy for this.

February 2015: Engagement to Taylor Kinney

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

October 2015: Discussion at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

In October 2015, Lady Gaga joined 200 high school students, policy makers, and academic officials, including Peter Salovey, at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence to discuss ways to recognize and channel emotions for positive outcomes.

April 2016: Support of It's On Us campaign with Joe Biden

In April 2016, Lady Gaga joined Vice President Joe Biden at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to support his It's On Us campaign.

June 2016: Vigil for victims of the Pulse nightclub attack

In June 2016, Lady Gaga participated in 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.

March 2018: Support for March for Our Lives

In March 2018, Lady Gaga supported the March for Our Lives gun-control rally in Washington, D.C., and released a cover of Elton John's "Your Song" for his tribute album Revamp.

Loading Video...

2018: Partnership with the Born This Way Foundation to bring food and relief to a Red Cross shelter

On the 2018 World Kindness Day, Lady Gaga partnered with the Born This Way Foundation to bring food and relief to a Red Cross shelter for people who have been forced to evacuate homes due to the California wildfires.

February 2019: Engagement with Christian Carino Ends

In February 2019, Lady Gaga ended her engagement with talent agent Christian Carino, whom she had met in early 2017.

March 2019: Launch of a new pilot program for a teen mental health first aid project

In March 2019, Lady Gaga penned a letter to supporters of the Born This Way Foundation, announcing the launch of a new pilot program for a teen mental health first aid project with the National Council for Behavioral Health.

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Lady Gaga endorsed Joe Biden in the United States presidential election.

February 2021: Dog Walker Shooting and Dog Theft

In February 2021, Lady Gaga's dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was shot in Hollywood and hospitalized, and two of her French Bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen. A third dog, Miss Asia, escaped but was later recovered.