Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid's Relationship: A Look Back

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik welcomed daughter Khai in 2020

From 2015 to 2021, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik were one of Hollywood's longtime on-again/off-again couples. Their relationship, which spanned nearly six years, included two Vogue photoshoots (one of them a cover), countless snaps of Hadid wearing Malik's merch and the birth of their daughter, Khai, in September 2020. However, the relationship wasn't always smooth sailing.

On Oct. 28, 2021, multiple sources confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE that the supermodel and the singer broke up. The news came amid reports that Malik allegedly "struck" Hadid's mom, Yolanda Hadid, during an argument. The singer vehemently denied the allegations and pleaded no contest to the charges.

The pair have had their ups and downs over those years. Here's the complete timeline of Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik's relationship.

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Khloe Kardashian/Snapchat.

November 2015: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid are first seen together

The pair were first rumored to be together in November 2015. Us Weekly reported that the stars were spotted together, with one source telling the outlet, "It's a very new thing. They're just seeing where it goes," and another saying, "I wouldn't call them boyfriend and girlfriend. But seeing each other? Definitely. He's chuffed."

The meeting came four months after Hadid split with another boy bander: Joe Jonas. Malik broke off his engagement with Perrie Edwards in August 2015.

Days after their first sighting, they were spotted holding hands.

December 20, 2015: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid become Instagram official

GIGI HADID & ZAYN MALIK
Source: ZAYN MALIK/Instagram

In a since-deleted photo posted to Malik's Instagram (without a caption, to keep us guessing) the two were seen cuddled up together in a black-and-white photo.

January 2, 2016: Zayn Malik cuddles with Gigi Hadid's kitten

Hadid posted a photo of her kitten, and eagle-eyed fans spot Malik's tattoos from a mile away.

January 12, 2016: Gigi Hadid begins wearing Zayn Malik's name

Just over a week later, Hadid started her favorite hobby: Wearing her boyfriend's name. She sported a 'Z' necklace on Instagram.

January 29, 2016: Gigi Hadid appears in the music video for Zayn Malik's "Pillowtalk"

After dodging questions about their romance, the pair confirmed it in the most epic way possible: A hot-and-heavy video for Malik's song "PILLOWTALK," which premiered on YouTube on Jan. 29, 2016.

As if that wasn't enough, they shared some flirty Twitter banter and the rest of us were left feeling totally jealous.

February 2, 2016: Zayn Malik confirms that he and Gigi Hadid are an item

On The Zach Sang Show, Malik was asked if it's cool to have his girlfriend in the music video. "I like what you've done there," the singer said in reference to the interviewer's sly line of questioning, before confirming that yes, it's pretty cool.

For Valentine's Day, Hadid shared a sweet snap of her boyfriend cuddling her kitten.

February 14, 2016: Gigi Hadid shares a photo of Zayn Malik for Valentine's Day

April 2016: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid strike a pose

The pair did a photo shoot with Vogue, showing off more P.D.A. while on location in Naples, Italy, and giving everyone an inside look at their relationship.

May 2, 2016: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid have a Met Gala date night

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Getty

The pair attended the Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology Met Gala together, walking their first red carpet as a couple.

July 8, 2016: Gigi Hadid answers rumors of a split with Zayn Malik with an Instagram post

Though there were rumors that the pair had split, Hadid confirmed that they were very much together during an interview with Elle.When asked whether she prefers a night out or night in, she replied: "Night in. Cook. Paint. Play with my dog. Hang out with my boyfriend. Watch movies. Just chill."

When more rumors emerged, Hadid was once again spotted with her 'Z' necklace on, signaling that the two were very much still an item. In July, Hadid posted a sweet snap of the couple to Instagram.

January 12, 2017: Gigi Hadid celebrates Zayn Malik's birthday on Instagram

The pair were happily linked for months, going on vacations, hanging with pals and yup, still wearing Zayn merch. On Malik's birthday, Hadid posted a photo of her boyfriend with the caption, "happy birthday my handsome! so lucky to know and love a soul like yours ☄wishing you the best year ever!!!"

April 23, 2017: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik share kisses on her birthday

The couple was still loved up for Hadid's birthday in April 2017.

July 2017: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik appear on the cover of Vogue (again!)

The pair were photographed together on the cover of Vogue, with Gigi captioning a photo of their cover on Instagram, "It will forever be a great honor to cover @voguemagazine .. but I felt extra grateful and proud to stand beside my 💛 @zayn !!"

September 1, 2017: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid spend some family time together

Yolanda Hadid posted a photo with Gigi, Zayn, and Zayn's mother, Trisha, in celebration of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.

January 12, 2018: Gigi Hadid celebrates Zayn Malik's 25th birthday

The pair kicked off the year celebrating Malik's 25th birthday. Hadid posted a series of photos and videos of the pair with a sweet caption: "love this man more than I could ever put into words, & am inspired by his drive to be and do better everyday ✨ cheers to YOUR YEAR my @zayn - happiest happiest birthday & 25th year of life !! I'm proud to be by your side x."

March 13, 2018: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid call it quits

In separate statements, the pair announced that they'd split. Malik wrote, "Gigi and I had an incredibly meaningful, loving and fun relationship and I have a huge amount of respect and adoration for Gigi as a woman and a friend. She has such an incredible soul. I'm grateful to all of our fans for respecting this difficult decision and our privacy at this time ... we love you all."

Hadid shared, "Breakup statements often seem impersonal because there is really no way to put into words what two people experience together over a few years." She continued, "I'm forever grateful for the love, time and life lessons that Z and I shared. I want nothing but the best for him and will continue to support him as a friend that I have immense respect and love for."

She left room for reconciliation, though, when she added, "As for the future, whatever's meant to be will be."

April 29, 2018: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid kiss and make up

However, the pair were spotted a month later kissing in New York City.

June 2018: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid — are they back together?

Malik told GQ that he and Hadid weren't labeling things: "I'm really thankful that I met her … We're adults. We don't need to put a label on it, make it something for people's expectations. I had a very negative outlook on things [while recording my first solo album]. That might have been adolescence or testosterone or whatever the f--- was running through my body at the time. She's helped me to look at things from a positive angle."

Hadid made a statement of her own when she told an Instagram fan account to stop being negative. In the process, she confirmed that her eyes are tattooed on Malik's chest.

January 2019: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid split (again)

Months after revealing they'd rekindled their romance on social media, the pair called it quits again, according to multiple outlets.

March 2, 2019: Are Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid back together (again)?

Zayn tweeted "@GigiHadid love you" without explanation.

August 2019: Gigi Hadid sparks new romance rumors

Gigi Hadid and new boyfriend Tyler Cameron
BACKGRID

Hadid was spotted with former Bachelorette contestant Tyler Cameron, publicly dating the reality star until October 2019, when they split.

January 11, 2020: Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid reunite

After igniting rumors of a reconciliation (Hadid posted an Instagram story and tagged Malik's mom), the pair were spotted in New York City, arm-in-arm. They were photographed heading back to her apartment following a family dinner that was also attended by the supermodel's sister, Bella Hadid and her mother, Yolanda Hadid. They were spotted again in New York City the next day.

February 14, 2020: Zayn Malik is Gigi Hadid's Valentine

She captioned a Feb. 14 photo, "HEY VALENTINE, Z on the farm ♡ Dec 2019," which meant that the pair were indeed together in December 2019.

March 24, 2020: Gigi Hadid posts plenty of pics with Zayn Malik

Hadid posted "oldies" from her camera roll, including a sweet photo of the pair kissing in front of a Christmas tree.

April 24, 2020: Gigi Hadid celebrates her 25th birthday with Zayn Malik

Hadid celebrated her 25th birthday with her family and boyfriend by her side while social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

April 29, 2020: Gigi Hadid reveals that she and Zayn Malik are having a baby

Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid. Gigi Hadid/ Instagram

The supermodel's mom, Yolanda Hadid, confirmed to Dutch outlet RTL Boulevard that her daughter was expecting her first child with Malik.

"Of course we are so excited," said Yolanda. "I'm excited to become a Oma in September especially after I lost my mom so recently. But this is the beauty of life: One soul leaves us and a new one comes in. We feel very blessed."

According to TMZ, who was first to report the news, Hadid was 20 weeks along at the time.

Hadid confirmed the news herself while appearing on The Tonight Show at Home with Jimmy Fallon.

"Obviously, we wish they could've announced it on our own terms, but we're very excited and happy and grateful for everyone's well-wishes and support," Hadid told the late-night host. Hadid said her pregnancy is a "nice silver lining to be able to be home and together and to really experience it day by day."

May 6, 2020: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are excited to become parents

Sources close to the couple told PEOPLE exclusively the stars were "thrilled" about the baby and their next chapter together.

"They've been through their ups and downs, but neither stopped caring about the other," said a fashion world source. "They've jumped on the timing of having a baby and are preparing for their new lives."

The source added, "Gigi is young but always said she wants several kids. She's sensitive and nurturing and will be a great mom."

September 2020: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik welcome baby girl Khai

The couple announced on social media on Sept. 22, 2020, that their baby girl, a daughter named Khai, had made her debut!

"Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautiful," Malik wrote on Twitter alongside a photo of his daughter's hand holding onto his finger.

"To try put into words how i am feeling right now would be an impossible task," the new dad continued. "The love i feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding. Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together x."

Hadid also posted a photo of their daughter holding hands with Malik, captioning the sweet shot, "Our girl joined us earth-side this weekend and she's already changed our world. So in love🥺💕."

September 2021: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik celebrate daughter Khai's 1st Birthday

Gigi and Zayn
alana hadid/ instagram

Baby Khai is already 1! In celebration of their little one's first birthday, Gigi and Zayn threw her a party, where she was surrounded by balloons, family members and plenty of colorful toys.

October 2021: Zayn Malik is accused of "striking" Gigi Hadid's mom, Yolanda Hadid

On Oct. 28, 2021, TMZ reported that sources claimed Zayn struck Yolanda during a recent argument. The singer was quick to deny the allegations, saying in a statement, "I adamantly deny striking Yolanda Hadid, and for the sake of my daughter I decline to give any further details, and I hope that Yolanda will reconsider her false allegations and move towards healing these family issues in private."

On Twitter, he added in part, "This was and still should be a private matter but it seems for now there is divisiveness and despite my efforts to restore us to a peaceful family environment that will allow for me to co-parent my daughter in a manner in which she deserves, this has been 'leaked' to the press."

October 2021: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik split again

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid
Darren Gerrish/WireImage

One day after the report broke, multiple sources confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE the supermodel, 26, and the singer, 28, had split once more.

"They are not together right now. They are both good parents though," a Hadid family friend said. "They co-parent. Yolanda is of course very protective of Gigi. She wants the best for her daughter and grandchild."

"Gigi is solely focused on the best for Khai. She asks for privacy during this time," Gigi's rep told PEOPLE in a statement. Reps for Yolanda and Malik have not responded to multiple requests for comment.

October 27, 2021: Zayn Malik pleads "no contest" to harassment charges after allegedly shoving Gigi Hadid's mother, Yolanda Hadid, during a fight

Though Malik denied shoving Yolanda Hadid in an argument on Sept. 29, 2021, at Hadid's Pennsylvania home, he pleaded no contest to harassment charges against Yolanda Hadid, Gigi Hadid, and a security guard. Malik received 360 days of probation.

Despite the fight, a source said later that Hadid believes that daughter Khai "needs her dad" and intends to "co-parent in a civil way" with Malik.

June 19, 2022: Gigi Hadid celebrates Zayn Malik on Father's Day

In honor of Father's Day, Hadid posted a rare photo of Khai as a tribute to Malik. After sharing a tribute to her own father, Mohamed Hadid, and referring to him as her "sweet baba," she posted a snap of Malik and Khai playing with markers. "& to Khai's baba," she wrote on the photo, extending her Father's Day wishes to her ex.

September 21, 2022: Gigi Hadid says Zayn Malik threw Khai the "best" second birthday party

Hadid gave credit where credit is due when it came to Khai's Peppa Pig-themed second birthday party.

On her Instagram Story, the model wrote, "Her baba [Malik] threw her the best party."

July 12, 2023: Zayn Malik addresses the 2021 incident with Gigi Hadid's mom, Yolanda Hadid

Yolanda Hadid and Zayn Malik on Call Her Daddy Podcast

Gotham/GC Images; Spotify

During an appearance on Call Her Daddy, Malik addressed the 2021 altercation between him and Yolanda for the very first time.

"I knew what the situation was, I knew what happened, and the people involved knew what happened too and that's all I really cared about,” he said. "If anybody of a sane mind would look at the situation, I believe you could respect that I just didn't want to bring attention to anything. I wasn't trying to get into a negative back and forth with her."

Malik continued: "I believe I dealt with it in the best way. In an amicable, respectful way, and that's all that needs to be said."

Updated by
Sophie Dodd
Sophie Dodd is a freelance writer for PEOPLE. She previously worked as an editorial assistant at PEOPLE from 2018 to 2022.