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While he might not have a lot of songs that have reached the top of the pop charts during his career, just about everyone knows who John Legend is thanks to his musical talent. Legend has achieved a lot since the mid 2000s, including earning some of the most prestigious awards that can be handed out. He’s seemingly done it all at this point, and is still in his early 40s while also balancing being a happily married father of two.

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Legend was born in Springfield, Ohio on December 28, 1978 and started singing with his parents almost right away. Legend also trained on the piano, making him very well rounded musically, and his intelligence got him through school quickly. Legend graduated high school at just 16 years old, and went to the Ivy League school Penn while still training in music. Following college, Legend worked behind the scenes as a composer and producer before getting in front of the microphone himself to launch his career with the Kanye west led record label GOOD Music.

Legend released his first album in 2004 with “Get Lifted”, which sold 4 million copies worldwide. It was propelled by his debut single “Used to Love U”, as well as “Ordinary People”. The latter song reached the top 25, making Legend a well known name. “My first album...was a hip hop soul album that had some of its roots in the church, as far as the sonic choices, in the way that I sing and write songs,” Legend said. “I have always had that as part of my background and part of my influence when I am making music.”

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In 2006, Legend recorded a music video that featured model Chrissy Tiegen, allowing them to meet for the first time. The two had hit it off and formed a relationship, and were dating for several years before finally getting engaged. In 2013, the couple officially became married, and since then have had two children and are one of the most popular couples in entertainment.

Being a rich and famous couple, there are times that Legend and Tiegen have spoiled each other during their relationship. During one holiday season, Legend presented his wife with something that she always wanted, even if it’s a bit of a strange request. Legend bought a massive cheese wheel for Tiegen, which she posted on social media. “John got me my lifetime dream for Christmas,” she said. “A cheese wheel to dump pasta and risotto in for years to come. My tableside serving game is about to be (lit).”

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Tigen added that “If you haven’t seen one of these wheels in action, oh man. It is a thing of beauty. Hot pasta is tossed around, gently melting the cheese and plated right at your table. It makes me emotional.”

Shortly after he met Tiegen, Legend recorded his second album with “Once Again”, which made its way to the top five of the Billboard charts, and accomplished the feat two years later with “Evolver” to round out his work in the 2000s. There were several songs that performed well on the R&B charts, with his biggest hit of the time being “Green Light”, a collaboration with Outkast’s Andre 3000.

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Legend would release three more albums in the 2010s with “Love in the Future”, “Darkness and Light” and the holiday album “A Legendary Christmas”. The first of those three albums gave Legend his biggest hit to date, with “All of Me” releasing in 2013 and making its way to number one on the charts. His other hit songs of the decade included “Love Me Now” and “Glory”. The latter of the two earned Legend an Oscar for Best Original Song, which goes along with his many Grammys and his 2017 Tony Award. In 2018, Legend won an Emmy, putting him in the rare EGOT category.

On top of his busy schedule with his home life and music, Legend has also appeared on television quite frequently. He’s done guest work on reality shows like “Lip Sync Battle” and “Hollywood Game Night”, and in 2019 became a coach on the popular competition series “The Voice”. As for the big screen, Legend has also appeared in the movies “Soul Men” and “La La Land”.

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Things are going great for Legend these days with all of his success. “I think I’m happier, not just because of winning Grammys and selling records, but because it’s really fulfilling to have all these things happen with something you love to do,” Legend said. “To have the chance to see your music be elevated and to have almost universally positive response to that music, makes me feel better every day,. I feel more confident and inspired, and that’s fun.”