Lady Gaga
Born 1986 · Age 39
American singer, songwriter, performance artist and actress known professionally as Lady Gaga; notable for genre versatility, image reinventions, major chart success, philanthropic work and acting career.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Manhattan, New York City
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta born at Lenox Hill Hospital to Cynthia and Joseph Germanotta.
Begins piano lessons
Began playing piano at age four after encouragement from her mother; developed ability to play by ear.
Enrolled at Convent of the Sacred Heart
Attended the private all-girls Roman Catholic school from age 11.
Screen debut in AC/DC music video
Background appearance in AC/DC's 'Stiff Upper Lip' music video.
Small TV role in The Sopranos
Background role as a high-school student in The Sopranos episode 'The Telltale Moozadell'.
Early admission to NYU Tisch CAP21
Gained early admission to Collaborative Arts Project 21 (CAP21) at NYU Tisch School of the Arts; lived in an NYU dorm and studied music.
Records songs with Melle Mel & forms SGBand
Recorded two songs for a children's audiobook with Melle Mel and formed the SGBand, gigging in NYC's Lower East Side.
Withdraws from NYU to pursue music full-time
Left NYU during second semester of second year to focus on a professional music career.
Discovered by Wendy Starland; begins work with Rob Fusari
After a songwriter showcase, talent scout Wendy Starland introduced Gaga to producer Rob Fusari; they collaborated on songs and Fusari claims to have coined the stage name 'Lady Gaga'.
Signed to Def Jam
Signed to Def Jam Recordings after A&R Joshua Sarubin and Antonio 'L.A.' Reid approved; dropped three months later.
Songwriting and publishing deal with Sony/ATV
Struck a music publishing deal (via internship/apprenticeship experience), writing songs for established pop acts.
Performs with Lady Starlight and debuts 'Starlight Revue' act
Collaborated with performance artist Lady Starlight in downtown NYC clubs and performed at Lollapalooza 2007 as part of the 'Lady Gaga and the Starlight Revue'.
Signed to Streamline/Interscope and KonLive (Akon)
Vincent Herbert signed Gaga to Streamline Records (Interscope) and Akon arranged a joint deal with KonLive Distribution, launching her major-label recording career.
Forms Haus of Gaga creative team
Established her creative team 'Haus of Gaga' to oversee art direction, fashion and performances.
Debut album 'The Fame' released
Released The Fame, which reached #1 or top-5 in multiple countries and produced hits including 'Just Dance' and 'Poker Face'.
The Fame Monster EP & 'Bad Romance' released
Wrote eight songs while touring and released The Fame Monster EP (Nov 18, 2009). Lead single 'Bad Romance' (Oct 2009) became a global hit.
The Fame Ball & The Fame Monster world tours (begin)
Headlined The Fame Ball Tour (Mar–Sep 2009) and subsequently prepared/extended touring leading to The Monster Ball Tour.
Wins 2 Grammy Awards for The Fame era
At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, won Best Dance/Electronica Album (The Fame) and Best Dance Recording ('Poker Face').
Wins 8 MTV Video Music Awards
At the 2010 MTV VMAs, received 8 awards (from 13 nominations) including Video of the Year for 'Bad Romance'.
First artist with >1 billion combined YouTube views
In October 2010 became the first person to exceed one billion combined YouTube views; 'Bad Romance' was most watched video in April 2010.
Featured in 'A Very Gaga Thanksgiving' special & EP
Starred in Thanksgiving TV special attracting 5.7 million viewers and released the EP 'A Very Gaga Holiday'.
'Born This Way' single sets iTunes record
Released 'Born This Way' single; sold more than 1 million copies in under a week — Guinness World Record for fastest-selling iTunes single.
Album 'Born This Way' released; debuts at #1
Released Born This Way; debuted atop the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of ~1.1 million copies.
Founding of Born This Way Foundation
Launched the Born This Way Foundation (non-profit) to support youth wellness and mental health (foundation publicly associated with Gaga around 2012).
Begins Born This Way Ball tour
Launched Born This Way Ball tour in April 2012; tour eventually grossed $183.9 million but was cut short due to hip injury surgery cancelations with refunds estimated at $25M.
Lead single 'Applause' released from 'Artpop'
Released 'Applause' (Aug 2013) as lead single for Artpop; single reached top 5 US and produced mixed reception to the album.
Album 'Artpop' released
Released Artpop on Nov 6, 2013; debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and sold ~2.5 million copies worldwide by July 2014.
Release of 'Cheek to Cheek' with Tony Bennett
Released collaborative jazz album with Tony Bennett (Sept 2014); album debuted at #1 and later won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Split from manager Troy Carter; joins Artist Nation
Left longtime manager Troy Carter over creative differences and signed with new management (Bobby Campbell) under Live Nation's Artist Nation.
Cheek to Cheek Tour begins
Embarked on the Cheek to Cheek Tour with Tony Bennett (Dec 2014–Aug 2015).
Engaged to Taylor Kinney
Announced engagement to actor Taylor Kinney (they began dating in 2011).
Stars in American Horror Story: Hotel
Starred as the Countess in American Horror Story: Hotel (Oct 2015–Jan 2016), marking a major acting breakthrough.
Wins Golden Globe for Best Actress (Miniseries)
Won Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for American Horror Story: Hotel.
Performs National Anthem at Super Bowl 50
Sang the US national anthem at Super Bowl 50 and paid tribute to David Bowie at the Grammy Awards with Nile Rodgers.
Album 'Joanne' released
Released Joanne (Oct 21, 2016); the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and included 'Million Reasons'.
Headlines Super Bowl LI halftime show
Performed as halftime headliner for Super Bowl LI with 117.5M US viewers; performance featured first use of drones in a Super Bowl program.
Netflix documentary 'Gaga: Five Foot Two' released
Documentary premiered on Netflix chronicling production of Joanne and Super Bowl preparation; highlighted health struggles (fibromyalgia).
Stars in and co-writes music for 'A Star Is Born'
Starred as Ally in Bradley Cooper's A Star Is Born; co-wrote and performed many songs for the soundtrack.
'Shallow' released
Lead single from A Star Is Born soundtrack, 'Shallow', released Sept 27, 2018; topped charts worldwide and won multiple awards including the Academy Award for Best Original Song (2019).
Announces engagement to Christian Carino; signs Las Vegas residency
Announced engagement to agent Christian Carino (later ended) and signed a residency (Lady Gaga Enigma + Jazz & Piano) at MGM Park Theater in Las Vegas.
Launches Haus Laboratories makeup brand
Released Haus Labs, a vegan cosmetics line, exclusively on Amazon (40 products); quickly reached #1 on Amazon's lipstick list.
'Rain on Me' debuts at #1 & wins Grammy
'Rain on Me' (with Ariana Grande) debuted at #1 (May 22, 2020) and won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 63rd Grammys.
Releases lead single 'Stupid Love' from Chromatica
Released 'Stupid Love' ahead of Chromatica; returned to dance-pop/electronic sound.
Album 'Chromatica' released; debuts at #1
Released Chromatica (May 29, 2020); debuted at #1 on US charts, yielding the #1 single 'Rain on Me' with Ariana Grande.
Sings national anthem at Presidential Inauguration
Sang the US national anthem at Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan 20, 2021.
Dog walker shooting & pet theft incident
Dog walker Ryan Fischer shot in Hollywood (Feb 2021); two French Bulldogs stolen; Gaga offered $500,000 reward; dogs recovered Feb 26; arrests followed later in 2021.
Releases 'Love for Sale' with Tony Bennett
Released second collaborative album with Tony Bennett (Sept 30, 2021); debuted at #8 in the US and later won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the Grammys.
Stars in 'House of Gucci' released
Portrayed Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott's House of Gucci; film released Nov 24, 2021; won New York Film Critics Circle Award for her performance.
Contributes 'Hold My Hand' to Top Gun: Maverick & composes score
Co-wrote 'Hold My Hand' for Top Gun: Maverick; the song was nominated for Best Original Song and she performed it at the 95th Academy Awards.
Launches The Chromatica Ball tour
Launched The Chromatica Ball stadium tour (July–Sept 2022); grossed $112.4M from 834,000 tickets and produced an HBO concert special.
Appointed co-chair of President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities
Appointed by President Joe Biden to co-chair the federal committee (April 2023).
Featured artist for Fortnite Festival (season 2)
Served as the featured artist for the Fortnite Festival spin-off (Feb–Apr 2024).
Engaged to Michael Polansky
Announced engagement to venture capitalist Michael Polansky in April 2024 (they started dating in 2019).
Performs at 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony
Performed 'Mon truc en plumes' at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony (performance was pre-recorded due to weather concerns).
Releases 'Die with a Smile' with Bruno Mars
Released duet single 'Die with a Smile' with Bruno Mars; later topped Billboard Global 200 for 18 weeks and earned multiple awards.
Releases 'Harlequin' companion album for Joker: Folie à Deux
Released Harlequin (Sept 24, 2024) as a companion album to the Joker sequel; featured jazz standards and originals inspired by her character.
Film 'Joker: Folie à Deux' premieres & theatrical release
Starred as Harleen 'Lee' Quinzel in Joker: Folie à Deux; premiered at Venice and released theatrically Oct 2024; film underperformed but Gaga's role received praise.
Releases 'Disease' first single from LG7/Mayhem era
Released 'Disease' (Oct 25, 2024) — promoted as first single from forthcoming seventh solo studio album (Mayhem).
Estimated net worth reported
Multiple outlets (e.g., Celebrity Net Worth, media reporting) estimate Lady Gaga's net worth at approximately $300 million (May 2025 estimate).
Releases album 'Mayhem'
Released seventh studio album Mayhem (Mar 7, 2025) featuring singles 'Die with a Smile', 'Disease' and 'Abracadabra'; revisited early pop sound.
Announces Mayhem Ball tour
Announced the Mayhem Ball world tour (UK dates and wider itinerary) to support the Mayhem album.
Wins Grammy for 'Die With a Smile' (with Bruno Mars)
At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards (Feb 2025), won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for 'Die With a Smile' (performance with Bruno Mars at the awards also noted).
Performs free Copacabana Beach concert 'Mayhem on the Beach' (Rio)
Performed a free show in Rio de Janeiro attended by an estimated 2.1 million people; event was later reported to have been target of an alleged bomb plot (two suspects arrested before the show).
Key Achievement Ages
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