Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s Epic Romance: A Complete Timeline
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are a power couple to be reckoned with — and they have the swoon-worthy love story to prove it.
The duo met in 2006 on the set of Legend’s “Stereo” music video. Though they parted ways after the shoot, Teigen told Cosmopolitan in June 2014 that they “hooked up” that night. Over the next year, the couple kept in touch, but Legend would often be seen on red carpets and at events with other women.
“I let him be himself for a while,” the Cravings cookbook author told Cosmopolitan. “The worst thing you can do is try to lock someone like that down early on, then have them think, ‘There’s so much more out there. I played it cool for a long time.’ Never once did I ask, ‘What are we?’ Marriage was never my goal because I’ve never been very traditional. I was just happy to be with him.”
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They welcomed daughter Luna in April 2016 and son Miles in May 2018. After suffering a pregnancy loss in September 2020, Teigen announced in August 2022 that she is expecting another child. Daughter Esti Maxine was born in January 2023, five months before son Wren Alexander arrived via surrogate.
Scroll down to relive Legend and Teigen’s epic romance:
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(Almost) Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving
John Legend rang in his 29th birthday with girlfriend Chrissy Teigen on his arm at The Bank in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Jan. 5, 2008.
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A Vision in Peach
Teigen stunned in a peach deep-cut gown and tanned skin at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood on Feb. 22, 2009.
Credit: Anna Webber/Getty Images
Black Tie Affair
“I’m not going to lie. We hooked up,” the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model told Cosmopolitan in 2014, of how she and the “All of Me” crooner first met. “I was just happy to be with him.” Here, the pair stun at the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 2010.
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Smooches!
It wasn’t love at first sight for the nine-time Grammy winner, he revealed in an interview with Los Angeles Confidential in November 2014. “I’m more cautious than that,” he said. “For me I’m the kind of person who needs to grow into that feeling.” Even so, he and Teigen looked so in love at a gala event in New York City on May 26, 2011.
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Photo Booth Fun
“Hi @johnlegend I miss you,” Teigen captioned an Instagram shot of the two of them in a photo booth together back in May 2012.
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Hitchin’ a Ride
“We’re by no means freaky-deaky, but let’s just say, we’re open to things,” Teigen once told Cosmopolitan of the famous duo’s sex life. “We’re very okay with PDA. When we got to a restaurant, he loves when I wear a dress, so he can do some upper-thigh rubbing.” Here, the pair goof off in a pool in July 2012.
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Princess Peach
What better way to ring in 28 than with a Super Mario-themed birthday party? Teigen dressed up as Princess Peach (with Legend donning a faux mustache as Mario) in West Hollywood on Nov. 26, 2013.
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
I’ve Fallen And I Can’t Get Up!
Teigen and Legend tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Lake Como, Italy, on Sept. 14, 2013 — and the bride couldn’t resist a little goofing off, much to the amusement of the Grammy winner.
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Strike a Pose
The red carpet-ready twosome made a splash at the MET Gala 2014 on May 5, 2014, with Teigen in a figure-hugging gray Ralph Lauren Collection gown that showed off plenty of side boob.
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Dr. John Legend, Everyone!
Legend received an honorary doctorate of music at the University of Pennsylvania on May 19, 2014, and a proud Teigen posted an Instagram of the moment. “My baby got another honorary doctorate! I have a bunch too I just don’t brag about all the time,” she joked.
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Making Moves
Legend and Teigen were quite the sight to see as they dashed through lower Manhattan with their French bulldog Pippa in tow for a photo shoot on Dec. 1, 2014.
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Home Is Where the Food Is
The couple, who often share snapshots from their nights in, frequently cook together (Teigen is the author of a cookbook), as in this Instagram shot from March 2015.
No Ifs, Ands, or Butts About It
Teigen couldn’t help showing off her husband’s tooshie on social media during a trip to Florence, Italy, on July 7, 2015 — though the model did take care to strategically cover up parts of Legend’s bum with her knee.
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And That’s a Win, Folks!
Legend and Teigen looked thrilled at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Feb. 22, 2015 — hours after the singer won an Oscar for his song “Glory” with rapper Common from the film Selma.
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Less Is More
Teigen went sans underwear in a very risqué, sexy look at the MTV VMAs on Aug. 30, 2015 — and a Legend wore a dapper all-black ensemble to complement his leading lady.
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Baby on Board
The A-listers stepped out at the 88th Annual Academy Awards in February 2016. Teigen, who was pregnant with the couple’s first child, daughter Luna, at the time, stunned in a curve-hugging gown.
Credit: Courtesy Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Then There Were 3!
Teigen and Legend welcomed their first child, daughter Luna, in April 2016.
Credit: Courtesy Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Another New Addition!
The loving couple welcomed their second child, son Miles, in May 2018. Teigen opened up about being a mother of two during a February 2019 interview with Good Housekeeping, saying: “The biggest difference between one kid and two is finding that balance in between giving that special quiet time to your baby, and then having that rambunctious playtime where you really have to be on your toes.”
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Proud Wifey
When Legend became the first African-American man to earn EGOT status after winning a Primetime Emmy Award (to go along with his Grammys, Oscar and Tony wins) in September 2018, the Cravings author praised her spouse for being an “incredible man.”
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Under the Mistletoe
Seven months after welcoming son Miles, the couple stepped out for the musician’s Legendary Christmas bash.
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It’s a Family Affair!
Teigen and Legend shared the cover of Vanity Fair’s December 2019 issue with their daughter, Luna, and son, Miles. They spilled all in their joint interview, including sharing details on their love for one another. “I’m her biggest cheerleader. I always think she should do more,” the Voice coach said.
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Tiegen/Instagram
Quaran-Tea Party!
While trying to keep their kids busy in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, Teigen and Legend put on their fanciest frocks for a backyard tea party with their little ones.
Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Getting Real
During a candid interview on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast in July, the “Green Light” crooner admitted that he had struggled with infidelity in the past. “I escaped ‘technically cheating’ by keeping my relationship ill-defined. But it was really cheating. I definitely was dishonest and selfish,” he explained. “At a certain point, you just realize you’re happier being honest. … You’re happier being faithful and being in love with one person.”
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Family of 5
The couple made a big announcement in the video for Legend’s new song, “Wild,” which dropped in August 2020 and confirmed that they were expecting their third child together.
Credit: Courtesy Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Facing Hardship
In September 2020, Teigen confirmed the loss of the pair’s third child in a heartbreaking Instagram update. “We are shocked and in the kind of deep pain you only hear about, the kind of pain we’ve never felt before,” she wrote. “We were never able to stop the bleeding and give our baby the fluids he needed, despite bags and bags of blood transfusions. It just wasn’t enough.”
The lifestyle guru continued, “We never decide on our babies’ names until the last possible moment after they’re born, just before we leave the hospital. But we, for some reason, had started to call this little guy in my belly Jack. So he will always be Jack to us. Jack worked so hard to be a part of our little family, and he will be, forever.”
Teigen then dedicated a portion of her statement to address Jack, apologizing for the “first few moments” of his life coming with “so many complications, that we couldn’t give you the home you needed to survive.” She added that they “will always love” him.
Legend later shared Teigen’s statement via Twitter, writing: “We love you, Jack 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤.”
Credit: Courtesy John Legend/Instagram
A Heartfelt Celebration
Legend honored his wife’s skills as a mom in a sweet Mother’s Day post shared via Instagram in May 2021. “Happy Mother’s Day to my wonderful wife! It’s been a year that tested you in so many ways but you’ve come through stronger, wiser, happier and a better mother than ever,” he wrote, referring to the couple’s loss of their son Jack in September 2020. “I’m so fortunate to have you as my partner, my inspiration and my best friend. I love you forever.”
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Supporting His Wife
Following allegations that Teigen sent Michael Costello harmful messages and threatened his career in 2014, Legend shared another side of the story.
“Chrissy apologized for her public tweets, but after her apology, Mr Costello fabricated a DM exchange between them. This exchange was made up, completely fake, never happened,” the singer tweeted in June 2021 after the fashion designer’s claims went viral. “Honestly I don’t know why anyone would fake DMs to insert themselves in this narrative, but that’s what happened. I encourage everyone who breathlessly spread this lie to keep that same energy when they correct the record.”
Legend linked to a Business Insider report that questioned the fashion designer’s accusations against Teigen, whose team alleged that Costello’s screenshots “appear to be manipulated.”
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Pretty in Pink
Teigen rocked a bright strapless gown at the Grammys in April 2022. Legend, who sported a velvet suit to the ceremony, told E! News that their two kids were also attending the awards show to watch his performance.
Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Rainbow Baby
Teigen announced in August 2022 that the married couple are expecting another baby.
“The last few years have been a blur of emotions to say the least, but joy has filled our home and hearts again,” she wrote via Instagram. “1 billion shots later, we have another on the way.”
Credit: Courtesy of John Legend/Instagram
Italian Escape
The couple took Luna and Miles on an Italian getaway in August 2022. Teigen showed off her growing baby bump as the pair enjoyed the European lifestyle.
Credit: John Legend/YouTube
Music Video Romance
In September 2022, Legend released a music video for his single “Wonder Woman” featuring his pregnant wife and their two children.
“I married my wonder woman 9 years ago,” the singer caption a subsequent Instagram post. “Happy anniversary, my love. You never cease to amaze me.”
Teigen replied in the comments, “I could say the same about you. Happy anniversary to my absolute best friend and lover and partner in life. Thank you for being with me through all my mistakes, my ups and downs, my heartaches, for growing with me, for raising babies with me who are my proudest gifts. We have created the most wonderful life together and all I want to do for the rest of my life is watch you make the world better, feed people, bring people joy, make more babies and kiss on your old and gray face one day.”
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Reinforcing Their Romance
Legend opened up about how losing son Jack in 2020 brought him and Teigen even closer together. “We’ve been through enough together where it’s really fortified us and made us stronger,” he said on the “On Purpose With Jay Shetty” podcast in October 2022. “Those tests have made us grow together and realize things about each other that we didn’t know. … I think she’s cooler now than I ever thought she was. I just really have seen her in all kinds of situations. I just value her more, and in awe of her more than I ever have been.”
The songwriter said he’s “seen so much growth through our grief,” noting that their relationship feels “different” after their loss. “I’ve just learned so much about her personality, how she reacts to stress, how she reacts to life, how she can find a joke even in like the craziest, even in grief, she’s able to find humor,” he gushed. “I think you see so many things about your partner as you grow together and as you experience adversity together and what I’ve seen from her just made me love her more and value her more.”
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A Formal Affair
The pregnant cookbook author concealed her baby bump in a flowing pink gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline at President Joe Biden’s first White House state dinner in December 2022. Legend escorted his wife in a dapper black suit.
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
The Holiday Season
“Merry Christmas!! I swear to god john your need to post good pictures before me is actually psychotic and it’s becoming worrisome how you never tell me and i find out from the group chat. see u in hell!!!!!” Teigen posted via Instagram alongside a photo with her family.
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A New Legend
Legend confirmed during a private concert that Teigen gave birth to their newest little one, daughter Esti, on January 13, 2023, per social media footage. The Grammy winner told the crowd that while he “didn’t get a lot of sleep,” it was a “blessed day.”
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Still Steamy
“We shower a lot together, not to get too graphic,” the “Bigger Love” crooner told The Cut in January 2023 of the secret to his flawless skin. Legend noted that their bath time ritual allows them more time to love and care for one another. “[Self-care] can mean you love yourself and you’re taking care of yourself, but it also means you’re passing those rituals down to your loved ones. [Bath time is] a way for us to bond with the kids and, um, show them how to take care of themselves.”
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Oscars Night
The couple dressed up for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March 2023, two months after baby Esti’s arrival.
Credit: Courtesy of Chrissy Teigen/Instagram
Another Bundle of Joy
The twosome connected with a surrogacy agency in 2021 to help welcome another baby. Their gestational carrier, Alexandra, became pregnant one year later, shortly after Teigen found out she was expecting Esti. Son Wren Alexander joined the family on June 19.
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They Do Again
Teigen and Legend gathered their family and friend in Italy in September 2022 for a vow renewal ceremony at the same location where they originally tied the knot.
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Happy to Grow Old Together
Legend took to social media to celebrate Teigen turning another year older.
“Happy Birthday to my lover, best friend and partner in everything! I’m so grateful you were born,” Legend wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of his wife. “So happy that we found each other 17 years ago,” So in love with you and the big, beautiful family we’ve built together. Let’s grow old and celebrate so many more birthdays together. ❤️❤️❤️
