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Singer Whitney Houston is seen performing onstage during the 2004 World Music Awards at the Thomas and Mack Center on Sept. 15, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
U.S. 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.
Whitney Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1963 and experienced the height of her career between the mid 80s and mid 90s. 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 world 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 90s 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 U.S. charts at No. 1. This success was followed by appearances on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” and “The X-Factor” in the U.K.
Houston, sometimes referred to as the “Queen of Pop,” is survived by her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, who is 78.
Source: NTD Television
