The fabulous life of Rihanna, from her Barbados roots to the Super Bowl, and Fenty Beauty's game-changing role in makeup

Callie AhlgrimJan 13, 2024, 13:47 IST

Rihanna performs at a 2009 NFL event and the 2023 Super Bowl.Kevin C. Cox/Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Rihanna is one of the most influential artists of her generation.
Among other achievements, she has 14 No. 1 songs and nine Grammy Awards.

At just 35 years old, Rihanna has already achieved icon status.

Over the course of her relatively short career, Rihanna has positioned herself as one of the most influential artists of her generation. She is the most successful artist in the history of Billboard's Pop Songs Chart — not to mention her already-lasting mark as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, and makeup mogul.

Here's a complete timeline of Rihanna's biggest achievements and most iconic moments.

As a child in Barbados, Rihanna reportedly used music to escape from "anxieties of a violent home life."

Rihanna posted this throwback photo in 2014.@badgalriri/Instagram

Rihanna signed to Def Jam in 2005. She was taken under the wing of the label's then-president, Jay-Z.

Jay-Z and Rihanna in 2005. She has described his treatment of her as "paternal."John Roca/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

Rihanna's debut single "Pon de Replay" was an immediate hit.

Rihanna in the music video for "Pon de Replay."Rihanna/YouTube

One year later, in May 2006, she scored her first No. 1 single.

Rihanna in the music video for "S.O.S."Rihanna/YouTube

The game-changing track "Umbrella" was released on March 29, 2007.

Rihanna in the music video for "Umbrella."Rihanna/YouTube

She took home her first Grammy Award in 2008.

Rihanna's "Umbrella" won for best rap/sung collaboration at the 50th Grammy Awards.VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images

She collaborated with Drake for the first time in 2010.

Rihanna and Drake in the music video for "What's My Name?"Rihanna/YouTube

Rihanna's fifth studio album "Loud" earned her first Grammy nomination for album of the year.

"Loud" was released on November 12, 2010.Def Jam

She made her big screen debut with "Battleship" in May 2012.

Rihanna was cast in the role of Cora Raikes, a weapons specialist.Universal Pictures

In November 2012, "Unapologetic" became Rihanna's first No. 1 album.

"Unapologetic" was released on November 19, 2012.Def Jam

Rihanna was given the American Music Awards' first-ever Icon Award in 2013.

Rihanna at the 2013 AMAs.Jason Merritt/Getty Images

She received the CFDA Fashion Icon award in 2014.

Rihanna posing with her Fashion Icon award on June 2, 2014.Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Rihanna was named the creative director of Puma in 2014.

Rihanna walks the runway during the Fall 2016 Fenty x Puma show during New York Fashion Week.Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/FilmMagic

Rihanna dropped her most celebrated album yet, "Anti," on January 28, 2016.

Rihanna's album artwork reveal for "Anti" at MAMA Gallery on October 7, 2015.Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Rihanna accepted the Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 VMAs.

Rihanna performed a medley of her hits during the 2016 VMAs.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Rihanna was Harvard's Humanitarian of the Year in 2017.

Rihanna accepted the 2017 Harvard University Humanitarian of the Year Award.Paul Marotta/Getty Images

Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in September 2017.

Rihanna attends Fenty Beauty's one-year anniversary at Sephora.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fenty Beauty

She launched Savage x Fenty in May 2018.

Rihanna walks the runway for the Fall/Winter 2018 Savage x Fenty fashion show during NYFW.Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images

Rihanna channeled the pope at the 2018 Met Gala, for which she was a co-chair.

Rihanna attended the Met Gala on May 7, 2018.Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images

Rihanna starred in the ensemble film "Ocean's 8," released on June 5, 2018.

Sarah Paulson and Sandra Bullock costarred alongside Rihanna in "Ocean's 8."Warner Bros.

She welcomed her first child with A$AP Rocky in May 2022.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made their red carpet debut at the 2021 Met Gala.Getty/Angela Weiss

Rihanna headlined the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show, where she also revealed her second pregnancy.

Rihanna at the 2023 Super Bowl.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

She reportedly gave birth to her second child in August 2023.

A$AP Rocky and Rihanna photographed in May 2023.Gotham/GC Images

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