Bill Kaulitz
The androgynous voice of a generation-defining German band, he shaped 2000s pop-rock with his dramatic flair and sky-high hair.
Born 1989 (age 37)·German singer·Birthday: September 1·Millennials
Biography
Bill Kaulitz sang 'Monsoon' and 'Durch den Monsun' as the frontman of Tokio Hotel, a band whose meteoric rise made him a continental phenomenon. As a teenager in Magdeburg, East Germany, he and his twin brother Tom formed the group. Bill's unmistakable look—elaborate, gravity-defying hairstyles, heavy eyeliner, and a slender frame—blurred gender lines and captivated a young global audience. His vocal delivery, a passionate, sometimes fragile tenor that could swell into a powerful rock scream, became the band's signature sound. Tokio Hotel's success sparked 'mania' across Europe and earned them a slew of awards. Kaulitz later explored solo work as 'Billy,' modeled, and became a judge on Germany's 'The Voice.' His journey from teen idol to established entertainment personality mirrors the evolution of the fans who grew up with him.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Bill was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bill Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Bill's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led Tokio Hotel to win their first MTV Europe Music Award for Best Interact in 2007, among many other awards.
- Tokio Hotel's album 'Scream' debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, a rare feat for a German-language act.
- Served as a coach on multiple seasons of the German television singing competition 'The Voice Kids'.
- Launched a solo music project under the moniker 'Billy,' releasing the single 'Love Don't Break Me' in 2020.
Did You Know?
He is the identical twin brother of Tokio Hotel guitarist Tom Kaulitz.
He is a trained painter and has showcased his artwork.
He and his brother became the youngest persons ever to receive the Federal Cross of Merit in Germany in 2009.
He provided the German dubbing voice for the character Arthur in the animated film 'The Little Prince'.
“I never wanted to be normal. I always wanted to be different.”
