Whitney Houston was a music icon whose extraordinary voice and career left an enduring mark on the industry. After being discovered by legendary record executive Clive Davis, Whitney signed with Arista Records in 1983 and released her self-titled debut album, Whitney Houston, in 1985. The album became a massive success and helped launch her into international superstardom.
Throughout her career, Whitney broke numerous records and became one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with more than 200 million records sold worldwide. Her powerful vocals produced classics including “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Greatest Love of All” and her unforgettable rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” She also found success on the big screen, most notably starring alongside Kevin Costner in 1992’s The Bodyguard, whose soundtrack became one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Whitney died on February 11, 2012, at the age of 48 after she was found submerged in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors. Her only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown, whom she shared with ex-husband Bobby Brown, died at age 22 in July 2015, months after she was found unresponsive in a bathtub.
More than a decade after Whitney’s death, her influence remains unmistakable. She was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, and generations of artists continue to cite her as an inspiration. Scroll through the gallery to look back at Whitney Houston’s remarkable life and career in photos.
