logo
HomeCelebrityMusicians
The musical superstar | Source: Facebook/DuaLipa
The musical superstar | Source: Facebook/DuaLipa

She Fled War and Left Her Parents' Home as a Child – Now She's a Superstar Everyone Hears on the Radio

Milla Sigaba
Jul 10, 2025
10:22 A.M.

From a young age, this musical star had dreams of being a pop star. What followed was a rise to global fame that even she didn't think was possible.

Advertisement

Long before fame, awards, and record-breaking tours, this famous singer was just a teenager alone in London, pushing herself to make her musical dreams come true.

The superstar as a child from a post dated June 11, 2019. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The superstar as a child from a post dated June 11, 2019. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Take a look at her incredible journey told through photos — from a child always adapting to new places and cultures to an ambitious teen and eventually one of today's biggest stars.

The famous singer and her mother from a post dated June 28, 2021. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The famous singer and her mother from a post dated June 28, 2021. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Advertisement

Her Childhood

This musical star was born in London, England, after her parents moved there to escape the war in former Yugoslavia. However, life in the city didn't last forever. At 11, she moved to Kosovo with her parents, Dukagjin and Anesa.

The famous singer with her mother from a post dated June 28, 2023. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The famous singer with her mother from a post dated June 28, 2023. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Reflecting on her childhood experiences, the famous singer said, "The impact of war, it's devastating, and I really became very much, like, in touch with my roots and understanding things in a completely different light."

The musical star with her parents from a post dated March 14, 2021. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The musical star with her parents from a post dated March 14, 2021. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Advertisement

Growing up, she found herself repeatedly adapting to new places and cultures having spent her early years between Kosovo and London. "I've been a new girl all my life" she revealed.

The musical star with her mom from a post dated March 14, 2021. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The musical star with her mom from a post dated March 14, 2021. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Then, at 15, she made the life-changing decision to head back to the UK to take her GCSEs and chase her music dreams. "From a young age, I had the dream to be a pop star, but it never seemed like something that was actually possible," she admitted.

The superstar as a child from a post dated June 11, 2019. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The superstar as a child from a post dated June 11, 2019. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Advertisement

Despite that uncertainty, her ambition didn't waver. "I was like, 'I want to do music, but I want to do it on a global scale. I have to go back to where everything is happening,'" the famous singer recalled.

"As much as I loved living in Kosovo, it was a very different experience," she explained.

The famous singer and her father from a post dated March 5, 2023. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The famous singer and her father from a post dated March 5, 2023. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

However, it wasn't an easy conversation with her parents when she decided to leave home alone for her dreams. When asked how the conversation went, her father shared, "Quite a one-way street, one-way conversation."

Her mother added, "Even I think she planned this all this thing to happen [sic]. It was her destiny, yeah."

Advertisement
The singer with her mother from a post dated June 28, 2023. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The singer with her mother from a post dated June 28, 2023. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Back in London, the singer focused entirely on her music goals. "I was quite determined," she said. "[...] I was driven. My dad says I'm very hard to say no to!"

The musical star and her mother from a post dated June 28, 2022. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The musical star and her mother from a post dated June 28, 2022. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Advertisement

"I was really persistent. I just started writing a lot, worked with a producer. I was 17. I was offered a publishing deal but [producer] Felix told me to go to a lawyer, who said, 'Don't sign that deal!' They then helped me get into the studio," she continued.

The famous singer from a post dated March 17, 2020. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The famous singer from a post dated March 17, 2020. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Years later, the musical star reached remarkable heights in her career but never forgot about her roots.

In 2019, she travelled to Lebanon with UNICEF to bring attention to children displaced by the war in Syria. "I really felt that duality of, like, being from two places at the same time," she stated.

The superstar as a child from a post dated June 11, 2019. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The superstar as a child from a post dated June 11, 2019. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Advertisement
The musical star and her younger sister as children from a post dated May 14, 2025. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

The musical star and her younger sister as children from a post dated May 14, 2025. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

2013

The famous singer photographed on June 17, 2013, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

The famous singer photographed on June 17, 2013, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

2016

In 2016, this musical star was already making waves in the industry. That year, she attended the BRIT Awards, turning heads with her effortlessly cool style and confident presence.

Advertisement
The musical star at the BRIT Awards 2016 at The O2 Arena on February 24 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

The musical star at the BRIT Awards 2016 at The O2 Arena on February 24 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

2017

The superstar performing at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards 2017 at Wembley Arena on October 22 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

The superstar performing at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards 2017 at Wembley Arena on October 22 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

2018

This musical star is none other than Dua Lipa, who, in 2018, was performing to sold-out crowds around the world during her Self-Titled Tour, where she brought her breakout hits to stages across the globe.

Advertisement
Dua performing during her "Self-Titled Tour" on July 2, 2018, in Seattle, Washington. | Source: Getty Images

Dua performing during her "Self-Titled Tour" on July 2, 2018, in Seattle, Washington. | Source: Getty Images

2019

Dua Lipa from a post dated July 27, 2019. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa from a post dated July 27, 2019. | Source: Facebook/Dua Lipa

2020

By 2020, Lipa had become a staple on the world's biggest red carpets. At the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, she stunned with a bold blue eyeshadow look and sleek two-toned hair.

Advertisement
Dua Lipa at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

2021

Dua Lipa with her parents from a post dated January 3, 2021. | Facebook/Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa with her parents from a post dated January 3, 2021. | Facebook/Dua Lipa

2022

Dua Lipa at the KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2022 on December 2 in Inglewood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa at the KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2022 on December 2 in Inglewood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

2023

Since leaving Kosovo for London at just 15 to chase her music dreams, Lipa has grown into a true global sensation. By 2023, her influence reached far beyond her songs on the radio.

That year, she turned heads at the Met Gala with a classic yet striking look, wearing a timeless white gown paired with an eye-catching diamond necklace.

Dua Lipa at the 2023 MET Gala on May 1 in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa at the 2023 MET Gala on May 1 in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Soon after, she showed off her daring side at the "Barbie" movie premiere, stepping out in a shimmering mesh dress that highlighted her status as a fashion risk-taker.

Dua Lipa at the world premiere of "Barbie" at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on July 9, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa at the world premiere of "Barbie" at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on July 9, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

2024

In 2024, Lipa's star power only shone brighter. At the Critics' Choice Awards, she shared the spotlight with Billie Eilish and other top names in the industry.

Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 14, 2024, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 14, 2024, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

The following month, the famous singer attended the Grammys and was spotted alongside Beyoncé, a clear sign she had firmly cemented her place among music's elite.

Beyoncé and Dua Lipa at the 66th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 4, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Beyoncé and Dua Lipa at the 66th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 4, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement
Dua Lipa and her father the 66th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 4, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa and her father the 66th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 4, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Away from the red carpets, her personal life also caught attention, as reports began to emerge linking her to actor Callum Turner.

Dua Lipa at the BRIT Awards 2024 at The O2 Arena on March 2 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa at the BRIT Awards 2024 at The O2 Arena on March 2 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

2025

Advertisement

In 2025, Lipa's life has been filled with milestones, both personal and professional. For one, her relationship with Turner made headlines after the couple confirmed their engagement.

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner from a post dated July 2, 2025. | Source: Instagram/dualipa

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner from a post dated July 2, 2025. | Source: Instagram/dualipa

"Yeah, we're engaged. It's very exciting," she revealed, adding about her ring that Turner designed with help from her best friends and sister, "I'm obsessed with it. It's so me."

Looking to the future, Lipa also shared her thoughts about having children. "I'd love to have kids one day," she said. "But it's like the constant question of when would there ever be a good time […]."

Callum Turner and Dua Lipa at the 2025 Met Gala on May 5 in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Callum Turner and Dua Lipa at the 2025 Met Gala on May 5 in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

Professionally, Lipa continued to dominate the stage. In March, she performed in Sydney, Australia, as part of her Radical Optimism Tour, captivating crowds with her energetic set and commanding stage presence.

Dua Lipa performing during her Radical Optimism Tour on March 28, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa performing during her Radical Optimism Tour on March 28, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. | Source: Getty Images

She also continued to make her mark in fashion, attending the Chanel Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week in January, where she turned heads with her elegant look and effortless style.

Dua Lipa at the Chanel Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week on January 28 in France. | Source: Getty Images

Dua Lipa at the Chanel Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week on January 28 in France. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

But, Lipa still found time to relax. In one candid moment shared on Instagram, she was photographed enjoying a peaceful vacation, soaking up the sun in a black studded bikini and looking completely at ease.

Dua Lipa from a post dated July 4, 2025. | Source: Instagram/dualipa

Dua Lipa from a post dated July 4, 2025. | Source: Instagram/dualipa

From a young girl with dreams of stardom to a global icon rubbing shoulders with music's elite, Dua Lipa has proven that determination and talent can take you anywhere. With her career soaring and her personal life thriving, she shows no signs of slowing down.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts