Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston (1963–2012) was a pop, R&B and gospel singer and actress whose recordings live on through her estate’s releases and archival projects.
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Latest
Whitney’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- Born
- August 9, 1963 · Newark, New Jersey
- Died
- February 11, 2012
- Work
- Singer, actress and executive producer
- Breakout
- Whitney Houston, her 1985 debut album
- Known as
- The Voice
Mini bio
Musical roots.
Born in Newark, Whitney grew up surrounded by gospel. Her mother was singer Cissy Houston, and Dionne Warwick was her cousin. As a teenager she sang in New York and recorded with artists including Chaka Khan. Clive Davis signed her to Arista in 1983 after seeing her perform in a nightclub.
The breakthrough.
Her self-titled 1985 debut introduced “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know” and “Greatest Love of All.” Whitney followed in 1987, becoming the first album by a woman to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. She achieved seven consecutive Hot 100 No. 1 singles.
Songs and screen stories.
The Bodyguard brought her film debut alongside Kevin Costner and her recording of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” She later played the Fairy Godmother opposite Brandy in Cinderella and served as an executive producer on that television musical.
A continuing legacy.
Whitney died in 2012. Her estate, led by executor Pat Houston, continues to share her recordings and archive with fans. She also founded the Whitney Houston Foundation in 1989 to support children facing illness, homelessness and other hardships.
Creditschronological, newest first
Film & television
- 2012SparkleEmma; executive producer
- 1997Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CinderellaFairy Godmother; executive producer
- 1996The Preacher’s WifeJulia Biggs; soundtrack vocalist
- 1992The BodyguardLead actress; soundtrack vocalist
Music
- 1987WhitneyRecording artist
- 1985Whitney HoustonRecording artist
Awards
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award2026 · Posthumous Special Merit Award honoree
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame2020 · Inducted in the Performer category
- Six Grammy winsThe Recording Academy lists six competitive wins and 25 nominations, including Record of the Year for “I Will Always Love You.”
- NAACP Image Award1997 · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture for The Preacher’s Wife
Quotes
God gave me a voice to sing with, and when you have that, what other gimmick is there?Whitney Houston, Recording Academy artist biography
Trivia
- Cinderella was originally developed for Whitney to play the title role. She chose Brandy and played the Fairy Godmother instead.
- Her mother Cissy also appears in The Preacher’s Wife, as Mrs. Havergal.
- She recorded a duet with Jordin Sparks, “Celebrate,” for Sparkle.
Find Whitney
Explore her music and follow official estate updates.
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