Early Life and Education of Lupita Nyong'o: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Lupita Nyong'o. From birth to education, explore key events.

Lupita Nyong'o is a highly acclaimed actress, recognized with an Actor Award, an Academy Award, and a Daytime Emmy Award. She has also garnered nominations for prestigious awards such as British Academy Film Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award, highlighting her versatility and success across film, television, and theatre.

Sections (5)

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

1967: Original Jungle Book film

In 1967, the original animated Jungle Book film was released, of which Lupita Nyong'o starred in a live-action/CGI adaptation in 2016.

1980: Family left Kenya due to political unrest

In 1980, Lupita Nyong'o's family left Kenya due to political repression and unrest. Her uncle, Charles Nyong'o, disappeared after being thrown off a ferry.

March 1983: Birth in Mexico City

In March 1983, Lupita Amondi Nyong'o was born in Mexico City to Kenyan parents, Dorothy Ogada Buyu and Anyang' Nyong'o.

2001: Received IB Diploma

In 2001, Lupita Nyong'o received an IB Diploma from St. Mary's School in Nairobi, demonstrating her academic achievements.

2005: Production Crew for The Constant Gardener

In 2005, Lupita Nyong'o worked as part of the production crew for Fernando Meirelles's film 'The Constant Gardener', gaining early experience in the film industry.

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2006: Production Crew for The Namesake

In 2006, Lupita Nyong'o worked as part of the production crew for Mira Nair's film 'The Namesake', further developing her skills behind the camera.

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2007: Production Crew for Where God Left His Shoes

In 2007, Lupita Nyong'o was part of the production crew for Salvatore Stabile's film 'Where God Left His Shoes', continuing to build her experience in filmmaking.

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2009: Understudied the Play Eclipsed

In 2009, Lupita Nyong'o understudied the play 'Eclipsed' at Yale, a role she would later perform on Broadway, marking an important early experience in her career.

2011: Sexual Harassment by Harvey Weinstein

In 2011, when Lupita Nyong'o was a student at Yale, she was sexually harassed by Harvey Weinstein on two separate occasions.

2011: Herschel Williams Prize

In the 2011-12 academic year, Lupita Nyong'o won the Herschel Williams Prize at Yale, recognizing her outstanding acting ability as a student.

2013: Father Elected to Kenyan Senate

In 2013, Lupita Nyong'o's father was elected to represent Kisumu County in the Kenyan Senate, marking a continued involvement in Kenyan politics.

February 2014: Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon Speech

In February 2014, Lupita Nyong'o delivered a speech at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in Beverly Hills, discussing the beauty of Black women and her past insecurities, mentioning the impact of Alek Wek's success on her self-perception.

October 2014: Opposition to Development in Shockoe Bottom

In October 2014, Lupita Nyong'o joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation to oppose development in the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, Virginia, a former site of major slave-trading. She sent a letter to Richmond's Mayor, Dwight C. Jones, and lent her voice to Conservation International's Nature Is Speaking campaign as the flower.

2014: Named Most Beautiful Woman by People

In 2014, Lupita Nyong'o was named the most beautiful woman by People, recognizing her beauty and influence.

June 2015: Advocacy for Elephants and Women's Issues in Kenya

In June 2015, Lupita Nyong'o returned to Kenya and announced her advocacy for elephants globally with WildAid, promoting women's issues, acting, and the arts in Kenya. WildAid announced Nyong'o as their Global Elephant Ambassador.

2015: Turning down Southpaw

Because of previous sexual harrasment by Harvey Weinstein, Lupita Nyong'o turned down an offer to star in Southpaw, a Weinstein-distributed film, in 2015.

April 2016: Anti-Poaching Campaign with Wildaid

In April 2016, Lupita Nyong'o launched an anti-poaching campaign with Wildaid, in advance of the Kenya Wildlife Service ivory burn on April 30, to demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach to poaching.

October 2017: Op-Ed in The New York Times

In October 2017, in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal and the MeToo movement, Lupita Nyong'o wrote an op-ed for The New York Times divulging that Weinstein had sexually harassed her in 2011.

2017: Father Became Governor

In 2017, Lupita Nyong'o's father became the Governor, highlighting his political career.

April 2018: Time's Up Event at Tribeca Film Festival

In April 2018, Lupita Nyong'o joined Julianne Moore and other actresses in participating in a Time's Up event at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.

September 2019: Ambassador for Michael Kors' Watch Hunger Stop Campaign

In September 2019, Lupita Nyong'o became an ambassador for Michael Kors' "Watch Hunger Stop" campaign.

April 2020: Appearance on 'Together at Home' and 'Richard II'

In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lupita Nyong'o participated in the Global Citizen organized television event, 'Together at Home', and in a radio play presentation of Richard II from The Public Theater and WNYC as The Narrator.

2020: Board of Trustees Member at The Africa Center

In 2020, Lupita Nyong'o was announced as a member of the board of trustees for The Africa Center.

2020: Named One of Africa's 50 Most Powerful Women

In 2020, Lupita Nyong'o was named one of Africa's 50 Most Powerful Women by Forbes, acknowledging her impact and influence in Africa.

June 2023: Moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles

In June 2023, Lupita Nyong'o moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn after the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 2024: Residence in Los Angeles

As of June 2024, Lupita Nyong'o lives in Los Angeles.

August 2024: Announced as a U.S. Citizen

In August 2024, Lupita Nyong'o announced that she had recently become a U.S. citizen and planned on voting for Kamala Harris in her first U.S. presidential election.

2024: Overcoming fear of cats

In 2024 Lupita Nyong'o had a lifelong fear of cats, but underwent exposure therapy for the film A Quiet Place: Day One in order to work with her cat co-stars and adopted her own pet cat, named Yoyo.

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November 2025: Father's Role as Governor of Kisumu County

As of November 2025, Lupita Nyong'o's father, Anyang' Nyong'o, serves as the Governor of Kisumu County, Kenya, highlighting his continued involvement in Kenyan politics.