On this day in 2021, pop rock icon Brittney Spears finally became a responsible adult, at least according to the end of the conservatorship that dictated most of her adult life. Born on December 2nd, 1981, Spears is a forty-something singer/songwriter who always finds a way to make news in the sensational entertainment world. This constant view in the spotlight led to the court-ordered conservatorship, a type of supervision she would deal with for several years. The court order came after some startling actions, like shaving her head and getting married on a whim. The point remains–what is a conservatorship?

Britney Conservatorship 101

Starting in the nineties, Spears began releasing hit pop rock records that catapulted her to fame and fortune. Her managers had always nurtured her career, so she pushed back when she started doing things the managers didn't want. Per her background as a Mississippi protestant, her family played a big role in her life. Her father, who managed her early in her career, controlled her life for over a decade.

Her problems began when she refused to give up custody of her children voluntarily. She had been in a public breakup with her celebrity husband, with their kids in the middle. Under the "5150" law, her family put her in a mental health facility. This law allows for the involuntary hold of someone dangerous to themselves or others. The court also put all of Spears' assets under the control of her father. During the conservatorship, she still released records and performed live, thus making money for everyone.