Whitney Houston Biography
Whitney Houston was an American singer and actress who was one of the most successful and influential pop stars of the 20th century. She was known for her powerful and soulful voice, and her hits like “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” were hugely popular worldwide. Houston also starred in several movies, including “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.” Her personal life was also the subject of much media attention, and she faced struggles with addiction and health issues before her death in 2012 at the age of 48.
Age & Place of Birth
Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey
Family Background
She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston and John Houston, who was a professional army serviceman and entertainment executive. Whitney was the youngest of three children, and her older brother, Gary, was also a singer and musician. The Houston family moved to East Orange, New Jersey, when Whitney was a child,
Whitney Houston’s family was deeply involved in the music industry. Her mother, Cissy Houston, was a well-known gospel singer who had a successful solo career and sang as a backing vocalist for Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. Whitney’s cousin, Dionne Warwick, was also a popular singer in the 1960s and 1970s. Whitney’s older brother, Gary, was a musician who played keyboards and guitar for his sister’s band, and he also worked as a songwriter and producer. Whitney’s godmother was the legendary singer and actress, Darlene Love.
Personal Life
Whitney Houston’s personal life was often the subject of intense media scrutiny. She married R&B singer Bobby Brown in 1992, and the couple had a tumultuous marriage that was plagued by rumors of drug use and domestic violence. They had one child together, a daughter named Bobbi Kristina Brown, who was born in 1993. In 2007, Whitney and Bobby Brown divorced. Whitney struggled with drug addiction throughout her adult life, and she entered rehab several times. In 2012, she was found dead in a hotel bathtub in Beverly Hills, California, and her death was ruled an accidental drowning with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.
Husband & Kids
Whitney Houston was married to R&B singer Bobby Brown from 1992 to 2007. Their marriage was often described as a tumultuous one, with both Whitney and Bobby struggling with substance abuse issues. The couple had one child together, daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, who was born in 1993. Bobbi Kristina followed in her parents’ footsteps by pursuing a career in music and acting. In 2015, she was found unresponsive in a bathtub at her Georgia home, and she died at the age of 22 after spending six months in a coma. Her death was also ruled an accidental drowning
Ethnicity
Whitney Houston was of African-American and Native American descent. Her father, John Houston, was of African-American and Native American ancestry, and her mother, Cissy Houston, was of African-American descent. Whitney was very proud of her mixed heritage and often spoke about the importance of celebrating and honoring her roots. She even named her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, after both her African and Native American ancestors. In her music and in her personal life, Whitney celebrated her heritage and encouraged others to do the same.
Career
Whitney Houston’s career as a singer began when she was a teenager, singing background vocals for her mother’s albums and for other artists. In 1983, she was discovered by Clive Davis of Arista Records, and her first album, “Whitney Houston,” was released in 1985. The album was a huge success, and it launched Whitney’s career as a major pop star.
Over the next decade, Whitney Houston released a string of hit albums and singles, including the songs “Saving All My Love for You,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “How Will I Know,” and “I Will Always Love You.” She also won multiple Grammy Awards and was named one of the most successful female artists of all time by Billboard magazine. In 1992, she starred in the film “The Bodyguard,” alongside actor Kevin Costner, and the soundtrack for the film was a massive success.
Songs
Here are some of Whitney Houston’s most popular songs:
- “Saving All My Love for You” (1985)
- “How Will I Know” (1986)
- “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (1987)
- “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
- “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” (1995)
- “I Believe in You and Me” (1996)
- “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay” (1999)
- “My Love Is Your Love” (1999)
Achievement
Whitney Houston was a highly decorated artist, with more than 400 career awards and honors. She won six Grammy Awards, including three for “I Will Always Love You” in 1992. She also won two Emmy Awards, one for her performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1991 Super Bowl and another for her performance at the American Music Awards in 1994. In addition to her Grammy and Emmy wins, she also won two MTV Video Music Awards, two Soul Train Music Awards, and two NAACP Image Awards.
Tragic tale of Whitney Houston.
Whitney Houston’s life and career were marked by both incredible success and devastating tragedy. While she achieved worldwide fame and acclaim for her music, she also struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues. In the years before her death, she went through several high-profile divorces and lawsuits, and she was arrested several times for drug-related offenses. Despite her struggles, she continued to perform and record music, and she remained a beloved figure in the music industry until her death. Her story is a tragic reminder of the pressures of fame and the importance of mental health.
Her legacy has been deeply affected by her tragic death. Since her passing, several films and documentaries have been made about her life, including “Whitney: Can I Be Me” and “Whitney: The Unauthorized Biography.” Her music has also seen a resurgence in popularity, with several posthumous albums released in recent years. In 2020, the musical “The Bodyguard” was revived on Broadway, and a film based on her life is currently in development. Her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, also passed away in 2015 at the age of 22.