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Adele

Historical Figure

Adele

b. 1988

English singer-songwriter (born 1988)

Late 20th Century

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Biography

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. Regarded as a British cultural icon, she is known for her mezzo-soprano vocals and sentimental songwriting. Her accolades include 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

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In Their Own Words (5)

Timeline

The story of Adele, told in moments.

1988 Birth

Born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins in Tottenham, London. Her father leaves when she's two. Her mother, Penny, works as a furniture maker and raises her alone.

2006 Life

Graduates from the BRIT School in Croydon. Her classmates include Leona Lewis and Jessie J. She posts three songs on Myspace. An XL Recordings exec hears them and signs her at 18.

2011 Event

21 drops. Named for her age when she wrote it, the album is about a breakup so total it produces eleven tracks of controlled fury. It sells 31 million copies worldwide and tops the Billboard 200 for 24 weeks. Six Grammys. The best-selling album of the 21st century.

2012 Event

Writes and records "Skyfall" for the James Bond film. Wins the Oscar for Best Original Song. She's 24.

2015 Event

25 sells 3.38 million copies in its first week in the US. No album had ever sold three million in a week before. "Hello" hits number one in 36 countries.

2022 Legacy

Begins a Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, reportedly earning $2 million per show. 120 million records sold. 16 Grammys. She's 34 and has released four albums, each named for the age she was when she wrote it.

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