It feels like she has been around forever. One minute she’s a Tumblr icon in a flower crown, the next she’s a Coachella headliner or getting married in a bayou. Because her aesthetic is so rooted in the 1950s and 60s, people often lose track of where she actually fits on the timeline. If you’ve been wondering how old is Lana Del Rey, the answer is pretty straightforward, but the story behind her age is actually kind of wild.
As of early 2026, Lana Del Rey is 40 years old.
She was born on June 21, 1985. That makes her a Cancer, which honestly explains a lot about the emotional depth and "watery" vibes of her music. But for a long time, there was this massive cloud of confusion about her birth year. If you remember the Born to Die era back in 2011 and 2012, you might recall some drama about whether she was "lying" about her age to seem younger and more "indie."
The Mystery of the 1985 vs. 1986 Debate
For years, if you Googled her age, half the sites said 1986 and the other half said 1985. It wasn't just a typo. When she first blew up with "Video Games," many press outlets reported her as being 25 when she was actually 26.
The internet, being the internet, turned this into a huge conspiracy. People accused her label of "rebranding" Elizabeth Grant into this younger, mysterious siren. Looking back, it’s kinda funny how much energy people spent on a 12-month difference.
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Lana eventually addressed it herself. She mentioned in interviews that for some reason, she was just always reported as a year younger than she was, and she didn't always go out of her way to fix it right away. It’s one of those classic "industry" things where a slight nudge in the numbers happens and then takes on a life of its own.
Growing Up as Elizabeth Grant
Long before she was the "Queen of Coney Island," she was just Lizzy Grant from Lake Placid, New York. Born to Robert and Patricia Grant, she didn't have the typical "child star" upbringing.
- 1985: Born in Manhattan, moved to Lake Placid as a toddler.
- Late 90s: Attended Catholic school and sang in the church choir.
- Age 14: Sent to Kent School, a boarding school in Connecticut, to deal with early struggles with alcohol.
- Age 18: Moved to NYC, lived in a trailer park for a bit, and started playing open mics.
She spent her early 20s grinding. She wasn't an overnight success. By the time Born to Die made her a global superstar in 2012, she had already been trying to make it in the industry for nearly seven years. She was 26 when that album changed everything.
Why Her Age Matters to Her Legacy
There is a weird obsession with age in pop music. We’re used to seeing girls debut at 16 or 17. Because Lana started her "mainstream" career in her mid-20s, she had a level of self-awareness and world-weariness that younger artists usually have to fake.
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Honestly, it’s probably why her music feels so timeless. She wasn't chasing TikTok trends in her formative years because they didn't exist. She was busy studying metaphysics at Fordham University and listening to jazz.
Recent Milestones
In the last few years, Lana has leaned even harder into her authentic self. She’s not trying to look 22 anymore.
- Her Marriage: In late 2024, at age 39, she married Jeremy Dufrene, an alligator tour guide. It was the most "Lana" move possible.
- The Grammys: She has racked up 11 nominations over her career, proving that her longevity isn't tied to being the "it girl" of the month.
- Vocal Evolution: Fans have noticed her voice getting deeper and richer as she enters her 40s, moving away from the high "baby doll" breathiness of her early records.
Common Misconceptions About Her Age
You still see people arguing about this on Reddit and Twitter. Some fans are convinced she’s older; others think she’s younger because of her "Coquette" aesthetic.
The facts are set in stone now: June 21, 1985. Manhattan.
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There was a time when critics called her "manufactured" because she changed her name and look. But if you look at her timeline, it’s just the natural progression of an artist finding their voice. Most people don't find their "true self" at 19. It takes time. For Lana, that happened in her mid-20s, and she’s been building on that foundation for over a decade.
How to Stay Updated on Lana
If you want to keep up with what she’s doing now that she’s hit the 40-year milestone, the best way is to follow her "Honeymoon" Instagram account (if it's currently public) or check for her latest tour dates. She’s famously low-key these days, often spotted at Waffle Houses or local shops rather than big Hollywood parties.
The best way to appreciate where she is now is to listen to her recent work, like Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. It’s the work of a woman who is comfortable with her history, her family, and yes, her age.
If you're looking to dive deeper into her discography, start with the early Lizzy Grant era bootlegs to see how much she’s grown. Seeing that ten-year gap between her early attempts and her breakthrough really puts into perspective how much work she put in before the world knew her name.
Check out her official website for the latest on her upcoming projects, including any news on the long-rumored "Lasso" country album.