Aug. 7, 1942: Born in Anoka.
1965: Wed to Mary Guntzel. Son, Jason, is born in 1969. They divorce in 1976.
1966: Graduates from University of Minnesota, where he starts his radio career at what's now known as Radio K.
1974: First broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" from Macalester College in St. Paul.
1979: First national live broadcast, from University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium.
1985: Makes the cover of Time magazine. Marries Ulla Skaerved, a Dane who was an exchange student when he attended Anoka High School.
1987: Broadcasts what he says is the final "PHC." Moves to Denmark with his wife to focus on writing.
1989: Launches new variety series, "The American Radio Company of the Air," based in New York City.
1991: He and Skaerved divorce.
1992: Brings the show back to St. Paul. Reclaims "Prairie Home" title the following year.
1994: Inducted into Radio Hall of Fame.
1995: Marries Minnesota Opera violist Jenny Lind Nilsson. They have a daughter, Maia.
1999: Marks the show's silver anniversary with a five-CD set of monologues and music.
2001: Undergoes open-heart surgery at Mayo Clinic.
2005: Begins syndicated newspaper column.
2006: Opens Common Good Books in St. Paul.
2009: Suffers minor stroke. Returns to work a few days later.
2011: Relinquishes hosting duties for the first time, handing the baton to frequent guest Sara Watkins.
2015: Says he'll step down as host, announces Chris Thile as successor.
July 1, 2016: President Obama phones in for his final "PHC" at the Hollywood Bowl.
Nov. 29, 2017: Citing "inappropriate behavior with an individual who worked with him," MPR terminates its relationship with Keillor.
Staff Reports