Childhood and Education Journey of Mel B in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Mel B, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Melanie Brown (Mel B), is an English singer, songwriter, dancer, television personality, and actress, best known as Scary Spice in the Spice Girls, one of the best-selling female groups of all time, with over 100 million records sold. The Spice Girls went on hiatus in 2000 but reunited for tours in 2007-2008 and 2019. Mel B has also pursued a solo career and television work.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

May 1998: Engagement to Jimmy Gulzar

On 13 May 1998, Mel B and Jimmy Gulzar became engaged.

September 1998: Marriage to Jimmy Gulzar

On 13 September 1998, Mel B and Jimmy Gulzar got married in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Mel B changed her stage name to Melanie G while they were married.

February 1999: Birth of Phoenix Chi Gulzar

On 19 February 1999, Mel B and Jimmy Gulzar's daughter, Phoenix Chi Gulzar, was born.

2000: Divorce from Jimmy Gulzar

In 2000, Mel B filed for divorce from Jimmy Gulzar, and the divorce was finalised later that year. Mel B won custody, and paid a settlement of £1.25m to Gulzar.

December 2006: Separation from Eddie Murphy

By early December 2006, Mel B and Eddie Murphy had separated. Murphy told a journalist that the parentage of Mel B's then-unborn baby could not be proven until a paternity test was performed.

April 2007: Birth of Angel Iris Murphy Brown

On April 3, 2007, Mel B's second child, Angel Iris Murphy Brown, was born. Eddie Murphy is the biological father.

June 2007: Paternity Confirmed

On 22 June 2007, a court-ordered DNA test confirmed that Eddie Murphy was the father of Mel B's child. Murphy admitted paternity and indicated that he and Mel B had reached a paternity settlement of $7 million.

June 2007: Secret Marriage to Stephen Belafonte

On 6 June 2007, Mel B and Stephen Belafonte secretly married in Las Vegas.

November 2008: Vow Renewal with Stephen Belafonte

On 8 November 2008, Mel B and Stephen Belafonte renewed their vows in front of their families in Hurghada, Egypt.

September 2011: Birth of Madison Brown Belafonte

On 1 September 2011, Mel B gave birth to her third daughter, Madison Brown Belafonte.

December 2014: Attempted Suicide

On 11 December 2014, Mel B attempted suicide by taking nearly 200 Aspirin pills.

December 2016: Separation from Stephen Belafonte

In December 2016, Mel B and Stephen Belafonte separated.

March 2017: Divorce Filing and Abuse Allegations

In March 2017, Mel B filed for divorce from Stephen Belafonte and accused him of emotional and physical abuse.

December 2017: Divorce Finalized

On 15 December 2017, Mel B's divorce from Stephen Belafonte was finalized. Mel B cited her divorce from Belafonte and her father's death as her reasons for seeking treatment for PTSD.

November 2018: Becomes Patron of Women's Aid

In November 2018, Mel B became a patron of the domestic violence survivors' charity Women's Aid.

November 2018: Announcement of Spice Girls Reunion Tour

On November 5, 2018, Mel B announced the Spice Girls reunion tour on her Instagram profile. It was confirmed that Mel B and ex-bandmates Melanie C, Bunton and Halliwell (but not Beckham) would return for a 13-date UK and Ireland stadium tour Spice World - 2019 Tour, their first in a decade.

December 2018: Collapse and Emergency Surgery

In December 2018, Mel B collapsed, breaking several of her ribs and suffering a serious cut to her hand, for which she underwent emergency surgery.

2019: Diagnosis of Anxiety, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and ADHD

In 2019, Mel B revealed she has been diagnosed with anxiety, dyspraxia, dyslexia, and ADHD.

2019: Spice World - 2019 Tour

In 2019, Mel B was part of the 13-date UK and Ireland stadium tour Spice World.

October 2022: Engagement to Rory McPhee

In October 2022, Mel B announced she was engaged to Rory McPhee.

January 2024: Wedding dress designed by Victoria Beckham

In January 2024, Mel B announced that former Spice Girls group member, Victoria Beckham, would be designing her wedding dress.

July 2025: Marriage to Rory McPhee at St Paul's Cathedral

On 5 July 2025, Mel B married Rory McPhee at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Mel B wore an ivory custom gown by Josephine Scott, styled by Caroline Black at Evelie Bridal London.