1942

Jan. 8

Born as the eldest of four children to Frank Hawking and Isobel in Oxford, England.

1952

Attends St. Albans School.

1959

Receives a scholarship to attend University College, Oxford. Though he was interested in mathematics, since the university didn't have a course, he opted for physics.

1962

Graduates with honours and gets admission to Cambridge University to do research in cosmology.

1963

At the age of 21, diagnosed with the degenerative nerve disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He is given two years to live.

1965

Marries his first wife, Jane Wilde. Came to the wedding on crutches.

1966

Gets his PhD. Begins study on black holes along with Roger Penrose. Wins Adams Prize.

1967

The couple's first son -- Robert -- is born.

1968‌

Becomes a member of Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy. Begins epic era of researches. Becomes wheelchair bound.

1970

Daughter Lucy born.

1973

First book 'The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time' published.

1974

Makes notable findings. Finds black holes cannot be completely black, but they ought to emit radiation, resulting in them losing mass. This theory is known today as Hawking radiation. Wins international fame. Becomes member of the Royal Society.

1977

Becomes professor at Cambridge.

1978

Wins prestigious Albert Einstein prize.

1979

Third child Timothy born. Becomes Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, a prestigious position once held by Isaac Newton.

1985

Loses ability to speak. Started communicating using electronic voice synthesizer.

1988

Publishes 'A Brief History of Time', which becomes an instant best-seller.

1993

Publishes 'Black Holes and Baby Universe and Other Essays'.

1995

Divorces first wife. Marries Elaine Mason, a nurse.

2004

Hawking changes his theory at the International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation in Dublin. He concedes that information can escape from black holes after all.

2007

Divorces Elaine Mason. Becomes closer to children from first wife.

2009

Wins Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honour. Quits Cambridge.

2014

Biopic 'The Theory of Everything' is released.

2018

Dies on March 14.