Avril Lavigne Biography

Avril Ramona Lavigne was born on September 27, 1984, in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. She grew up in the small town of Napanee, Ontario.

Her French-Canadian parents Jean-Claude and Judy were devout Baptists. She was exposed to music by the age of two through her mother's church songs.

Until the age of 12, she was just a singer. Soon, she started teaching herself to play the guitar and also started writing songs.

In 1999, Lavigne tasted success for the very first time. She won a singing contest and took the stage alongside Shania Twain in Canada's capital, Ottawa.

In 1999, she was spotted by Cliff Fabri, who eventually became her first professional manager, while she was performing at a bookstore in Kingston, Ontario.

In June 2002, ‘Let Go,’ her first album was released. It peaked at number two on ‘US Billboard 200,’ and also featured on music charts in the UK, Canada, and Australia. She then set out on her first world tour called ‘Try to Shut Me Up Tour.’

In 2004, she came up with her second album ‘Under My Skin.’ She wrote most of the songs along with Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk.

In 2004, she set out on her second world tour titled ‘Bonez Tour,’ during which she performed on almost all the continents for a year.

In 2006, she performed her popular song ‘Who Knows’ at the closing ceremony of the 'Torino Olympics.’

In 2007, she released her third album ‘The Best Damn Thing.’ The single ‘Girlfriend’ from the album became popular and rocked the music charts, peaking at number one on the ‘US Billboard.’

Hardworking and smart, Lavigne was well aware of the fact that world tours would increase her popularity. In 2008, she went on her third world tour ‘The Best Damn Tour’ to promote her album ‘The Best Damn Thing.’

In March 2011, her fourth album ‘Goodbye Lullaby’ was released by ‘RCA Records.’ Most of the songs from this album were written by Lavigne during her teenage years. She went on her fourth world tour ‘Black Star Tour,’ performing in Asia, America, and Europe to promote her album.

Over the course of her four albums, Lavigne scored a string of hit singles, such as ‘Complicated,’ ‘Sk8er Boi,’ ‘I’m With You,’ ‘Losing Grip,’ ‘Don’t Tell Me,’ ‘My Happy Ending,’ ‘Nobody’s Home,’ ‘Keep Holding On,’ ‘Girlfriend,’ ‘When You’re Gone,’ ‘Hot,’ and ‘The Best Damn Thing.’

‘Girlfriend’ had its share of controversy as her co-writer and record label were sued by songwriters James Gangwer and Tommy Dunbar. They claimed that ‘Girlfriend’ was a rip-off of their song ‘I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,’ released in 1979. The case was eventually settled out of court.

The single ‘Here’s to never grow up,’ from her much-talked-about self-titled album was released in 2013. The album ‘Avril Lavigne’ was released in November 2013, by ‘Epic Records’ and opened at number five on ‘US Billboard 200.’ The single ‘Hello Kitty’ from the album sparked controversies concerning racism.

Her sixth album ‘Head Above Water’ was released in February 2019, by ‘BMG’ label. While it peaked at the top 10 positions in countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, and Italy, it opened at number 13 on ‘US Billboard 200,’ making it a moderate success in comparison with her previous albums. In 2020, she re-recorded her song from her sixth studio album, "Warrior," and released it as a single under the name, "We Are Warriors."

In 2021, she released the song “Flames” which she made in collaboration with Mod Sun. In November of that year, she was signed by DTA Records. That same month, she also came out with her single, “Bite Me.” Lavigne launched her seventh studio album titled “Love Sux” in February 2022. The album garnered positive reviews from critics and opened at number 9 on US Billboard 200. It also reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Germany.

In June 2022, she released a new edition of her debut album, “Let Go.” In October of that same year, she launched her single "I'm a Mess," featuring Yungblud.

Her debut single ‘Complicated’ catapulted her to fame, and she received appreciation from the critics as well. It peaked at number one in Australia and was the best-selling Canadian single in 2002.

‘Girlfriend,’ a popular single from her album ‘The Best Damn Thing,’ was claimed to be the most-downloaded track worldwide in 2007, by ‘The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.’ It went on to sell more than seven million copies.

In 2003, Avril Lavigne received ‘Grammy Award’ nominations for the album ‘Let Go’ and for the single ‘Complicated.’

For ‘Let Go’ and ‘Complicated,’ she won the ‘Juno Award’ in 2003, under the categories, ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Single of the Year’ respectively.

In 2005, she once again won the ‘Juno Award’ under the ‘Pop Album of the Year’ category for her album ‘Under My Skin.’

With her earnings soaring to $12 million in December 2007, ‘Forbes’ ranked her eighth in the list of ‘Top 20 Earners under 25.’

Avril Lavigne was married to the frontman of the popular rock band ‘Sum 41,’ Deryck Whibley from July 15, 2006, to November 16, 2010.

In July 2013, she married fellow Canadian musician Chad Kroeger, the frontman of the band ‘Nickelback.’ They got separated in 2015.

Avril Lavigne started dating rapper Mod Sun. In April 2022, the couple announced their engagement. In February 2023, the couple separated.

In April 2015, Avril Lavigne announced that she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. She also expressed her desire to spread awareness of the disease.

As an entrepreneur, she created a successful fashion and lifestyle brand called ‘Abbey Dawn.’ She also came up with three fragrances, namely ‘Black Star,’ ‘Forbidden Rose,’ and ‘Wild Rose.’

In 2006, she voiced an animated character named ‘Virginia Opossum’ for the film ‘Over the Hedge.’

‘The Avril Lavigne Foundation’ supports ill and disabled children and youth.

In 2023, she started dating American rapper, Tyga.

Avril Lavigne is known for her love of skateboarding and has often been spotted shredding at skate parks.

She holds a black belt in karate and has incorporated martial arts moves into her stage performances.

Avril Lavigne is a big fan of Japanese culture and has even released a song in Japanese titled "Goodbye Lullaby."

She has a passion for fashion and launched her own clothing line called Abbey Dawn, which features punk-inspired designs.

Avril Lavigne is a philanthropist and has worked with several charities to support causes like children's health and environmental conservation.