Elena Jane Goulding ( GOHL-ding; born 30 December 1986) is an English singer and songwriter. Born in Hereford and raised in Lyonshall, Goulding began writing songs at the age of 15. She released her debut single "Under the Sheets" through Neon Gold Records in 2009, and signed with Polydor Records that same year, releasing her debut extended play (EP) An Introduction to Ellie Goulding. Her debut studio album, Lights (2010), debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, and was reissued as Bright Lights, spawning three successful singles: a cover of Elton John's "Your Song", "Starry Eyed" and "Lights". Her second studio album Halcyon (2012) was preceded by its lead single "Anything Could Happen", and a repackaged edition titled Halcyon Days (2013) produced the single "Burn", which became her first No. 1 single in the UK. She then collaborated with DJ Calvin Harris on two singles: "I Need Your Love" and "Outside".

After the release of her third studio album Delirium (2015) and its lead single "On My Mind", Goulding received a Grammy Award nomination for her single "Love Me like You Do", which was recorded for the soundtrack of Fifty Shades of Grey (2015). She then took a hiatus from 2016 to 2020, struggling with an anxiety disorder and media scrutinity over false claims on her personal life. Her fourth studio album Brightest Blue (2020) became her third album to top the UK Albums Chart, and her fourth consecutive album certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It spawned several singles, including the hits "Close to Me", "Hate Me" with Juice Wrld, and "Sixteen". She reunited with Harris on the single "Miracle", which spent eight non-consecutive weeks at No.1 on the UK Singles Chart in 2023. Goulding's fifth studio album Higher Than Heaven (2023) debuted at No. 1 in the UK, her fourth chart-topping album, making her the British female with the most number-one albums in UK history, tying with Adele.

Goulding is the recipient of numerous accolades, including three Brit Awards (including the prestigious BRIT Billion Award), a Billboard Music Award, 17 BMI London Awards, and nominations for two Grammy Awards. She was honored with a Decade Award by the Variety Hitmakers Awards in recognition of a decade of "undeniable hits". TIME100 honored her with the Impact Award for using her platform to protect the environment. She has sold more than 27 million albums and 216 million singles, and amassed 43 billion streams worldwide, making her one of the most successful British female singers of the 21st century.