Early Life and Education of Lauryn Hill: A Complete Timeline

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

Lauryn Hill is a highly influential American rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and actress. She is recognized for breaking down barriers for women in rap, merging hip-hop and neo-soul, and blending rap with melodic vocals. Lauded for her vocal talent, she has been featured on lists such as NPR's 50 Great Voices and Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Billboard named her the greatest female rapper in 2015. She has won eight Grammy Awards, the most for any female rapper.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1972: Birth of Malaney Hill

In 1972, Malaney Hill, Lauryn Hill's older brother, was born. Lauryn Hill's mother was an English teacher and her father a consultant.

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May 26, 1975: Lauryn Hill's Birth

On May 26, 1975, Lauryn Noelle Hill was born. She would become an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress, celebrated as one of the most influential musical artists of her generation.

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1993: Appearance in King of the Hill and Graduation

In 1993, Lauryn Hill appeared in Steven Soderbergh's motion picture "King of the Hill". She also graduated from Columbia High School in 1993, marking the end of her secondary education.

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1996: Meeting Rohan Marley and Pregnancy

During the summer of 1996, Lauryn Hill met Rohan Marley, beginning a relationship while still involved with Wyclef Jean. Hill became pregnant in late 1996.

August 3, 1997: Birth of Zion David Marley

On August 3, 1997, Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley's first child, Zion David, was born, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

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November 1998: Birth of Selah Louise Marley

In November 1998, Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley's second child, Selah Louise, was born. Lauryn Hill expressed the challenges of being a young mother of two.

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2000: Withdrawal from Public Eye

In 2000, Lauryn Hill dropped out of the public eye, overwhelmed by the pressures of fame. She fired her management team, attended Bible study classes, stopped doing interviews, watching television, and listening to music, and associated with a "spiritual advisor" named Brother Anthony.

February 2001: Settlement of New Ark Lawsuit

In February 2001, Lauryn Hill settled the lawsuit filed by New Ark out of court, reportedly paying them $5 million.

2001: Birth of Third Child

Around 2001, Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley's third child, Joshua Omaru, was born.

2002: Closure of Refugee Project

By 2002, Lauryn Hill had shut down her non-profit Refugee Project, citing a desire for things to come from a place of passion rather than obligation.

2003: Move to Own Place in Miami

Around 2003, Lauryn Hill moved out of the high-end Miami hotel where she had been living with Rohan Marley into her own place in that city. By 2003, Columbia Records had spent more than $2.5 million funding a new album.

2003: Christmas Benefit Concert at the Vatican

In 2003, Lauryn Hill spoke out against sexual abuse of children by priests during a Christmas benefit concert at the Vatican, sparking controversy. Hill stated that "God has been a witness to the corruption of his leadership, to the exploitation and abuses. It is the least one can say about the clergy."

August 2008: Living in South Orange, New Jersey

By August 2008, Lauryn Hill was living with her mother and children in her hometown of South Orange, New Jersey.

July 2011: Birth of Sixth Child, Micah

In July 2011, Lauryn Hill gave birth to her sixth child, Micah, who was her first child not with Rohan Marley; the father's identity remains publicly unknown.

2019: Scholarships for Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica

In 2019, Lauryn Hill, through her MLH Fund, provided 10 scholarships for the 2019–2020 academic year to students at Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica.

2020: Scholarships for Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica

In 2020, Lauryn Hill, through her MLH Fund, provided 10 scholarships for the 2019–2020 academic year to students at Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica.

December 2021: Virgil Abloh Memorial Service

In December 2021, Lauryn Hill performed at Virgil Abloh's memorial service after his death from a rare form of cancer. Abloh had previously named Hill as his "forever muse".