The p53 tumor suppressor protein is involved in regulating a wide variety of stress responses, from senescence and apoptosis to more recently discovered roles in allowing adaptation to metabolic and oxidative stress. After 34 years of research, significant progress has been made in unraveling the complexity of the p53 network, and it is clear that the regulation of p53 protein stability is critical in the control of p53 activity. This article focuses on our current understanding of how the level and activity of p53 is controlled by this seemingly simple mechanism. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin–Proteasome System. Guest Editors: Thomas Sommer and Dieter H. Wolf.