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Whitney Houston performs onstage during the 2011 Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons, with Clive Davis Honoring David Geffen at the Beverly Hilton on February 12, 2011. Whitney Houston died on Feb. 11, 2012 at the age of 48. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)
US pop singer Whitney Houston, known for hit songs such as “I Will Always Love You,” and “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” as well as movies such as The Bodyguard, has died. The singer was 48 years old. Houston’s publicist informed the Associated Press on Saturday, but did not give any information regarding the location or the cause of death.
A Los Angeles police crime lab truck sits in the drive way of the Beverly Hilton Hotel a few hours before the scheduled Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, California, February 11, 2012. (Mladen Atonov/AFP/Getty Images)
Whitney Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1963 and experienced the height of her career between the mid 80’s and mid 90’s. Houston was one of the world’s best selling artists, selling 170 million records worldwide. In addition, Houston made it into the Guinness book of records as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston won over 400 awards during her career, including six Grammys, two Emmys and dozens of Billboard and American Music Awards.
However Houston’s career was marred by a rocky marriage and drug abuse; she admitted using cocaine and marijuana. This abuse took its toll on Houston in the late 90’s as she started showing up late for interviews and rehearsals, and cancelling performances. Houston’s voice also deteriorated and album sales started to drop.
After a shaky few years, Houston separated from her husband, Bobby Brown, in 2007 and launched a comeback. She released a new album I Look to You in 2009, which entered US charts at No. 1; this success was followed by appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show and The X-Factor in the UK.
Houston was sometimes referred to as the “Queen of Pop,” and is survived by her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, who is now 78.
Read the article at NTD Television.
