LADY GAGA BIOGRAPHY - AGE, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Lady Gaga — born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, the 40-year-old pop icon with 124+ million records sold, from "Poker Face" to the Oscar-winning "Shallow" and the 2025 Bruno Mars duet "Die with a Smile."

Image: kandl, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Early Life

Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in Manhattan on March 28, 1986, Lady Gaga showed extraordinary musical talent from a very young age. A piano prodigy from age four, she earned early admission to New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at just 17. She dropped out at 19 to chase her dream of a music career, writing songs and performing in New York's downtown club scene. Her big break came when Akon discovered her and signed her to his KonLive label. She took her stage name from Queen's 1984 hit "Radio Ga Ga."

Career

Gaga's debut album The Fame (2008) made her a global superstar, spawning three Diamond-certified US singles including "Poker Face" and "Just Dance." Her follow-up Born This Way (2011) sold 1.1 million copies in its first week in the US and cemented her status as a pop visionary. She then reinvented herself through jazz, recording Cheek to Cheek and Love for Sale with Tony Bennett. Her acting career took off with A Star Is Born, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with "Shallow," followed by roles in House of Gucci and Joker: Folie à Deux. She continued to evolve with Chromatica and Harlequin, and released Mayhem in 2025, launching the Mayhem Ball tour for 2025–2026.

Recent News

Lady Gaga is currently on the Mayhem Ball tour (2025–2026), with the pictured Los Angeles show in July 2025 kicking off the run. Her duet with Bruno Mars, "Die with a Smile," has been a major hit. She is engaged to businessman Michael Polansky, according to reports. Gaga also continues her mental-health advocacy through the Born This Way Foundation, which she co-founded to support young people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lady Gaga's real name?
Her real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.

How old is Lady Gaga?
She is 40 years old, born on March 28, 1986.

How did she get her stage name?
She took the name "Lady Gaga" from Queen's 1984 song "Radio Ga Ga."

What awards has she won?
She has won 16 Grammy Awards, 1 Academy Award for "Shallow," 2 Golden Globes, and 3 BRITs — she was the first person to win an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy in the same year.

Is Lady Gaga engaged?
Yes, she is engaged to businessman Michael Polansky, according to reports.