Early Life and Education of Lil Wayne: A Complete Timeline

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

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., known as Lil Wayne, is a highly influential American rapper. Discovered by Birdman in 1993, he signed with Cash Money Records at age eleven and became the label's flagship artist. Lil Wayne is often considered one of the greatest and most influential hip hop artists of his generation.

Sections (6)

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

November 29, 1998: Birth of Reginae Carter

On November 29, 1998, Lil Wayne's first child, daughter Reginae, was born to his high school sweetheart Toya Johnson.

1999: Meeting Lauren London

In 1999, Lil Wayne met Lauren London when she was 15 years old.

February 2002: Dating Nivea

In February 2002, Lil Wayne began dating singer Nivea after his first breakup with Toya Johnson.

December 2002: Engagement to Nivea

In December 2002, Lil Wayne got engaged to singer Nivea.

August 2003: Engagement Broken Off

In August 2003, Lil Wayne broke off his engagement with Nivea.

February 14, 2004: Marriage to Toya Johnson

On Valentine's Day, February 14, 2004, Lil Wayne married his high school sweetheart Toya Johnson after dating on and off for seven years.

January 2005: Enrolled at University of Houston

In January 2005, Lil Wayne enrolled at the University of Houston after earning his GED.

2005: Dating Trina

In 2005, Lil Wayne began dating rapper Trina after featuring on her single, "Don't Trip".

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January 2006: Divorce from Toya Johnson

In January 2006, Lil Wayne and Toya Johnson divorced due to his lifestyle and communication with former romantic partners.

2006: Reconciliation with Lauren London

In 2006, Lil Wayne and Lauren London reconciled following his divorce from Toya Johnson.

2006: Miscarriage and Growing Distant

In 2006, Trina suffered a miscarriage from what was later confirmed to be her and Lil Wayne's unborn child, and they grew distant from one another. During that time Trina developed an affair with Young Buck.

March 2007: Reported High Grades at Houston

In March 2007, Urb magazine reported that Lil Wayne had been earning high grades at the University of Houston.

October 2007: Relationship with Trina Ends

In October 2007, Lil Wayne's relationship with Trina ended after she realized that it was not properly empathized, due to being young and not knowing what they were doing.

2007: Dating Karrine Steffans

From 2007 to 2014, Lil Wayne dated model Karrine Steffans on and off.

February 19, 2008: Visit to McMain Secondary School

On February 19, 2008, Lil Wayne and his manager Cortez Bryant visited McMain Secondary School to encourage students to design an invitation for the gala introducing Carter's nonprofit One Family Foundation.

May 6, 2008: Court Appearance in Arizona

On May 6, 2008, Lil Wayne appeared in court in Arizona and pleaded not guilty to the drug charges stemming from the January 23 arrest.

August 2008: Rumors of Reginae's Death

In August 2008, internet rumors circulated that Lil Wayne's daughter, Reginae, had died in an auto accident, which he immediately dispelled.

October 22, 2008: Birth of Dwayne III

On October 22, 2008, Lil Wayne's second child, son Dwayne III, was born to Sarah Vivan at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati.

2008: Reconciliation with Nivea

In early 2008, Lil Wayne and Nivea reconciled following Nivea's divorce from singer-songwriter The-Dream.

September 9, 2009: Birth of Cameron Carter

On September 9, 2009, Lil Wayne's third child, son Cameron, was born to actress Lauren London.

October 22, 2009: Guilty Plea for Weapon Possession

On October 22, 2009, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in New York.

November 30, 2009: Birth of Neal Carter

On November 30, 2009, Lil Wayne's fourth child, son Neal, was born to singer Nivea.

2009: Relationship with Tammy Torres Begins

From 2009 to 2010, Lil Wayne entered into an intimate relationship with glamour model Tammy Torres.

2009: Breakup with Lauren London

In 2009, Lil Wayne and Lauren London broke up after London discovered she and Wayne's ex-girlfriend Nivea were pregnant at the same time.

2009: Re-engagement to Nivea

In 2009, Lil Wayne and Nivea were re-engaged.

February 9, 2010: Sentencing Delayed Due to Surgery

On February 9, 2010, Lil Wayne's attorney announced that his sentencing was delayed until March 2 due to dental surgery scheduled for February 16.

February 2010: Dental Surgery

In February 2010, Lil Wayne underwent extensive dental surgery that included eight root canals, the replacement of several tooth implants, and the addition of new implants.

March 2, 2010: Sentencing Postponed Again

On March 2, 2010, Lil Wayne's sentencing was postponed again due to a fire in the courthouse basement.

March 8, 2010: Sentenced to Rikers Island

On March 8, 2010, Lil Wayne was sentenced to one year in jail and began serving his sentence on Rikers Island for attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

March 17, 2010: Bench Warrant Issued

On March 17, 2010, a bench warrant was issued for Lil Wayne after he failed to appear for a final trial management conference in Arizona. At the time, he was already incarcerated on Rikers Island on weapons charges.

April 2010: Weezy Thanx You Website Created

In April 2010, Lil Wayne's friends created a website called Weezy Thanx You, which published letters written by him while incarcerated, offering fans insight into his thoughts and experiences during this period.

May 2010: Contraband Found in Jail

In May 2010, Lil Wayne was found to be in possession of contraband, including an MP3 player, charger, and headphones, by Rikers Island correctional staff.

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June 2010: Engagement Called Off

In June 2010, Nivea decided to end her relationship with Lil Wayne while pregnant with their son, calling off their engagement for the second time amidst Wayne's prison sentence.

June 22, 2010: Guilty Plea in Arizona

On June 22, 2010, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty in Arizona to the drug charges from the January 2008 arrest, leading to a plea deal.

June 30, 2010: Sentenced to Probation

On June 30, 2010, Lil Wayne was sentenced to 36 months of probation as part of the plea deal in Arizona.

November 4, 2010: Release from Rikers Island

On November 4, 2010, Lil Wayne was released from Rikers Island Jail after serving eight months of his one-year sentence.

2010: Relationship with Tammy Torres Ends

From 2009 to 2010, Lil Wayne was in an intimate relationship with glamour model Tammy Torres, which ended in 2010.

May 2011: Lauren London Interview

In May 2011, Lauren London gave a radio interview discussing her relationship with Lil Wayne and his role as a father.

2011: Proclamation of Belief in God

During his 2011 tour in Australia with Eminem, Lil Wayne proclaimed his belief in God before beginning his bracket.

2011: Relationship with Dhea Sodano Begins

From 2011 to 2019, after ending his relationship with Torres, Lil Wayne got involved with Dhea Sodano.

October 25, 2012: Emergency Landing in Texas

On October 25, 2012, Lil Wayne's private jet made an emergency landing in Texas due to a medical episode. He was treated for a "severe migraine and dehydration".

November 2012: Taking Seizure Medication

In November 2012, Lil Wayne stated in an interview that he was taking seizure medication on doctor's orders due to recent incidents.

2012: Brief Relationship with Dana Lee

In 2012, Lil Wayne briefly dated Dana Lee.

March 14, 2013: Seizures and Hospitalization

On March 14, 2013, Lil Wayne was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after having seizures on a music video set with Nicki Minaj. He was released early hours of March 13.

July 2014: Rumors of Dating Christina Milian

In July 2014, it was rumored that Lil Wayne was dating singer Christina Milian, with whom he attended the ESPY Awards.

2014: End of Relationship with Karrine Steffans

From 2007 to 2014, Lil Wayne dated model Karrine Steffans on and off, relationship ended in 2014.

August 2015: Split from Christina Milian

In August 2015, Lil Wayne and Christina Milian split after collaborating on multiple singles, videos, and concert dates.

June 2016: Seizures During Flight

In June 2016, Lil Wayne had two seizures during a flight from Wisconsin to California, forcing an emergency landing in Omaha, Nebraska.

October 11, 2016: Release of "Gone Til' November"

On October 11, 2016, Lil Wayne's memoir of his experience in Rikers Island, titled "Gone Til' November: A Journal of Rikers Island", was released.

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September 3, 2017: Hospitalization in Chicago

On September 3, 2017, Lil Wayne canceled a Las Vegas show after having a seizure and being hospitalized in Chicago, where he was brought after being found unconscious in a hotel room.

2019: Relationship with Dhea Sodano Ends

From 2011 to 2019, Lil Wayne was in a relationship with Dhea Sodano, which ended in 2019.

May 2020: Engagement Called Off

In May 2020, Lil Wayne called off his engagement to model La'Tecia Thomas.

October 29, 2020: Meeting with President Donald Trump

On October 29, 2020, Lil Wayne posted an image with President Donald Trump to Twitter, stating that they met to discuss criminal justice reform and Trump's Platinum Plan.

November 2020: Reported Breakup with Denise Bidot

In November 2020, Lil Wayne and Denise Bidot reportedly broke up over Wayne's endorsement of Donald Trump but shortly after reconciled.

December 12, 2020: Guilty Plea to Federal Firearms Charge

On December 12, 2020, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge in Florida after being arrested in December 2019 for transporting a loaded handgun on his private jet from California.

January 19, 2021: Pardoned by President Trump

On January 19, 2021, Lil Wayne was pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump on his last full day in office, effectively nullifying the federal firearms charge against him.