According to the Guinness Book of Records, the total number of her awards and titles is the largest among all performers on our planet.
Many of her compositions have long received cult status and were recognized as one of the brightest musical works in the history of our planet. Probably today there is not a person in the world who has not heard the songs of this great performer at least once.
Everyone knows her. That is why in our article today we will try to talk about that Whitney Houston who was rarely captured by camera lenses. About that woman who was simply herself - charming and terrible, changeable and contradictory. Leaving Whitney the singer out of the picture, today we will try to talk about her as an ordinary person. After all, it is this facet of our soul that has always been more important than everything else.
Whitney Houston's early years, childhood and family
Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in the American city of Newark (New Jersey). She was the youngest of three children, and therefore early childhood the girl was always surrounded by love and care. 
Her parents were representatives of the Baptist church, and therefore from the first years of her life the church musical art played an important role in the fate of the young singer.
The girl was a soloist in a gospel choir and studied singing from local masters. In addition, the fact that her mother Cece, as well as her cousin Dionne Warwick, were real stars in the black areas of Newark played a huge role in the fate of our today’s heroine. Black listeners literally carried them in their arms. Therefore, from childhood, Whitney Houston had a clear idea of what the life of a pop star was like and mysterious world behind the scenes.
In her youth, she began to travel frequently with her mother, and also periodically perform at her concerts. Some time later, the young singer also began working as a backing vocalist for the famous artist Chaka Khan. Moving from step to step, Whitney Houston systematically made her way into the world of American show business. She performed in bars and clubs, and therefore by the early eighties she had two lucrative contracts with record companies.
However real success came to our today's heroine only in 1983. During this period, the girl signed a contract with the Arista Records label and began work on her solo album.
Whitney Houston's success on the music stage and in film
The performer’s first album, laconicly titled “Whitney Houston,” was released in 1985. The album became quite successful. The singer's singles were played on all radio stations in the country. And therefore, two years later, the performer’s second album, “Whitney,” appeared on the shelves of music stores in North America.From that moment on, her career began to gradually gain momentum. Prestigious awards appeared in the performer’s personal collection one after another. The geography of concert tours was constantly growing and expanding. A striking achievement in the singer’s career was also her performance before the final match of the FNL (American Football League). This episode colorfully shows the level of popularity that the singer had during the period under review.
Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
In 1990, Whitney released her third album, and two years later she made her film debut, playing the lead role in the legendary film “The Bodyguard.” The film received international success, and therefore, already in 1992, the performer’s work reached a fundamentally new level. As a global superstar, Whitney Houston has traveled the world. Her composition “I will always love you” became a super hit, and many years later was even recognized as one of the most striking songs in the history of mankind.
Subsequently, as an established superstar, the singer recorded four more albums, the last of which was released in 2009. Almost her entire musical life took place at some transcendental height, and already in the mid-90s, Whitney Houston managed to become one of the most commercially successful singers in the history of the music industry.
Success accompanied the singer’s other projects. She starred in five popular films and also played in several television series. In addition, in the world of cinema, Whitney also worked as a producer. That is why many said that great singer magnificent in all creative forms.
Whitney Houston's personal life and accompanying scandals
...Only in the singer’s personal life everything was not so rosy. Over the years she had love relationship with football player Randall Cunningham, famous actor Eddie Murphy, as well as his longtime friend Robin Crawford, who worked as her assistant. The singer has repeatedly denied the fact of having a love and sexual relationship with the girl, but the paparazzi have repeatedly proven the opposite with many scandalous photographs.In 1989, Houston began dating singer Bobby Brown, and this affair, in fact, became the beginning of the end for her. In 1992, the couple announced their marriage, and some time later rumors about the singer’s problems with alcohol and drugs began to appear in the press. The reason for discussions was also often her unnatural thinness and the presence of beatings on the artist’s body. During this period, she often ended up in hospitals and prisons. Some time later, it became known that Whitney Houston had two miscarriages one after another.
Despite the presence of obvious problems in family life, in 1993 the singer finally managed to give birth to a child. Her daughter Christina was born in early March. However, the idyll in the family relationship between Whitney and Bobby did not last long.
The singer's problems with alcohol and drugs have not gone away. Moreover, her husband also had similar difficulties. The couple's relationship developed in leaps and bounds during that period. Periods of calm were followed by high-profile litigation, high-profile scandals, mutual accusations of treason and
What did Whitney Houston die from?
The singer legalized her long-overdue divorce from Bobby Brown only in 2007. After this, the singer underwent a successful course of treatment for drug addiction. But decisive steps, as it turned out, were taken too late. Five years later, the singer died in the bathroom of a Los Angeles hotel due to sudden cardiac arrest. After tests were carried out, cocaine was again found in the singer’s blood.
American singer and actress Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark (New Jersey, USA). Her mother, Emily Drinkard (stage name Sissy), was a famous gospel singer, and her cousin Dionne Warwick is also a professional singer. As a child, Whitney sang in the church choir, and in her youth she was a successful fashion model.
In 1983, Houston signed a recording contract with Arista Records. One of her first singles, called Hold Me, immediately entered the US Top 50. Whitney spent the entire next year working on her debut self-titled album. The disc was released in March 1985. The success of this album was ensured by the singles You Give Good Love and Saving All My Love For You. The singles How Will I Know and Greatest Love Of All also rose to the top of the charts (music hit parade). The album sold over 12 million copies in the United States and sold several million copies worldwide.
In June 1987, the singer released her second album, Whitney. It became the first album in history by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the US and UK. The first four singles from the album - I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me), Didn't We Almost Have It All, So Emotional and Where Do Broken Hearts Go - reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Whitney received a 9x platinum certification in America and has sold approximately 20 million copies worldwide.
The third studio album, I'm Your Baby Tonight, was released in November 1990. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified 4x platinum in the US, selling 10 million copies worldwide.
In 1992, Whitney made her big film debut in the film "The Bodyguard." The film's soundtrack included six new songs by Houston, five of which were released as singles, including the hugely successful I Will Always Love You.
A cover version of Dolly Patron's hit I Will Always Love You topped the American charts for 14 weeks and the British charts for nine.
For most of the 1990s, Whitney pursued her acting career. She played the leading roles and sang in the films "Waiting for a Break" (1995) and "The Priest's Wife" (1996). Houston also starred in episodes of several TV series and films, including as herself.
In 1998, she released another album, My Love Is Your Love. Stars such as Missy Elliott, Dianne Warren and Wycliffe Jean took part in the recording of this album. With this album, Whitney tried to regain the lost glory of the first pop diva, which went to Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. And although the single When You Believe, performed as a duet with Carey and released on the soundtrack to the cartoon “The Prince of Egypt,” became a worldwide hit, the album sold poorly. Luck returned to the singer with the release of the single Heartbreak Hotel, which reached the second line of the national chart. In 2001, Whitney released another album, Love Whitney, and a year later, Just Whitney.
Just Whitney broke sales records and debuted at number 9 on the Billboard charts. The album achieved gold status in many European countries. In November 2003, the singer released the Christmas album One Wish: The Holiday Album, which consisted entirely of re-covers of famous Christmas melodies. In addition, the album includes two previously heard songs from the soundtrack to the film "The Priest's Wife", recorded by Houston back in 1996, and the song "Little Drummer Boy", performed by Whitney in a duet with her daughter Christina Brown.
The "yellow press" has repeatedly written about the singer's addiction to drugs and her difficult family life, the beatings she received from her husband, New Edition singer Bobby Brown, and then about her divorce in 2007. Whitney Houston at one time practically disappeared from the public eye.
On September 1, 2009, the singer released a new album, marking her return to the stage after a seven-year break.
In March, the official representative of the investigator who led the case into Houston's death said that the singer had accidentally drowned. Among the causes of her death, he named atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use. In April, Beverly Hills police announced the end of the investigation into the death of Whitney Houston, concluding that...
Whitney Houston's vocal style had a huge influence on music industry. She introduced into popular music the elements of gospel singing that had been ingrained in it since childhood and developed a virtuosic singing style. Due to her outstanding vocal talent, she was called The Voice.
Since the start of the singer's career in 1985, her albums, singles and videos have sold more than 170 million copies worldwide.
The singer was the winner of more than 400 different music awards and awards. Among them are six Grammy Awards, 21 American Music Awards, two Emmy Awards, 15 Billboard Music Awards, six People's Choice Awards and many others.
In November 2012, Houston was nominated for "Global Icon" for her contribution to the development of pop music.
The most famous of the singer’s singles, the song I Will Always Love You, was awarded eighth place in the “100” rating, according to experts from the VH1 channel. best songs for the last 25 years" and the first line among the hundred greatest love songs of all millennia.
In August 2012 in the USA, directed by Salim Akil and starring Whitney Houston as one of the leading roles. Filming was completed three months before the singer's sudden death.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston. Born August 9, 1963 in Newark - died February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills. American pop, soul and rhythm and blues singer, actress, producer, model.
Father - John Huston. Mother - Sissy.
She was the youngest of three children in the family. In childhood and adolescence she attended Baptist and Pentecostal churches.
Houston's mother, Cissy, and her cousin Dionne Warwick are well-known figures in the worlds of rhythm and blues, soul and gospel music. Such an environment could not but affect the choice life path and Houston Quarries. At the age of eleven, she began soloing in the junior gospel choir of the New Hope Baptist Church in New York.
As a teenager, she and her half-brother Gary Garland-Houston were raped cousin- Dee Dee Warwick, famous soul singer. At the time of the crime, Whitney was between seven and nine years old, and Warwick (real name Delia Warrick) was 19 years older than her. The scandalous information about sexual abuse appeared when neither Whitney Houston herself nor her cousin were alive. What happened in childhood left an indelible imprint on Whitney’s entire future life. British director Kevin Macdonald filmed a film on this topic in 2018.
In his youth, Houston became acquainted with the artistic atmosphere. She travels a lot with her mother, makes her first attempts at performing as a singer, performs as a backing vocalist for Chaka Khan, and also stars in commercials for teenagers.
By the early 1980s, Houston already had two contracts with record companies. However, a more serious offer came to her in 1983, when her performance with her mother in one of the nightclubs in New York was noticed by a representative of Arista Records and recommended Whitney to the head of the record label, Clive Davis. Davis is quite impressed. Later, he offers the young performer a contract, which she signs with his company.
Also in 1983, she made her debut on the then popular television show “Merv Griffin’s Show” with the song “Home”.
In February 1985, the debut album of the same name was released. Whitney Houston. It initially sold modestly. But after the release of the second single after “Someone for Me,” “You Give Good Love,” which reached number three on the U.S. chart. Billboard Hot 100 and first places on other R&B charts, the album begins to move up the sales and popularity rankings.
Houston began performing in many popular late-night shows that had previously been closed to black performers. Subsequent singles - the romantic ballad "Saving All My Love for You", the dance track "How Will I Know", which opened the singer to the MTV audience, and "The Greatest Love of All" - reached first place in pop and rhythm and blues -charts, securing the young singer’s status as a performer for the general public.
In 1986, a year after its release, the album Whitney Houston topped the Billboard 200 chart and stayed in this position for 14 consecutive weeks. The album achieved international commercial success, surpassing 13 million copies sold in the United States alone, and became the best-selling debut album among female singers.
The album itself garnered positive reviews from critics and praise for Houston. Magazine Rolling Stone called her "one of the most exciting new voices in recent years." That same year, the singer embarked on her first tour, The Greatest Love Tour, and won her first Grammy Award for Best Pop Artist for “Saving All My Love for You,” as well as Emmy and American Music awards. Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
Houston's debut is currently listed best albums“all time”: Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Definitive 200.
Second album Whitney, was released in June 1987. It became the first album in history by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the US and UK.
Houston won her second Grammy Award in 1988 in the same category for "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and toured the world with The Moment of Truth Tour. That same year, she recorded the song "One Moment in Time" for NBC's summer Olympic Games 1988 in Seoul, which took 5th place in the US national chart and first place in the UK and German charts.
Despite the worldwide success of Whitney Houston's first two albums, many African-American critics noted that her music was "too white" and therefore sold well.
Third studio album I'm Your Baby Tonight was released in November 1990. Such figures as Babyface, LL Reed, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder were involved in the work on it. The album demonstrated the singer's ability to perform well both hard rhythmic compositions and soulful ballads and dance tracks. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified 4x platinum in the US, selling 10 million copies worldwide. Although this album did not sell as well commercially as the previous two, it received critical praise. The same Rolling Stone called it “Whitney Houston’s best and most complete album.”
Houston performed "The Star Spangled Banner" before the NFL Finals in January 1991. Ten years later, the song was re-released following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In November 1992, Houston successfully debuted as an actress in the film "Bodyguard" featuring Kevin Costner. Houston recorded six songs for the film. The main track is a cover of Dolly Parton's country song "I Will Always Love You".
Whitney Houston in the movie "Bodyguard"
In December 1995, the soundtrack to the film Waiting to Exhale, produced by Babyface, was released. Houston turned down Babyface's offer to record an entire album for the film, wanting it to be an album with different female vocalists to suit the message. strong women from the movie. Thus, the soundtrack included songs by Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Brandy and Mary J. Blige. Houston herself recorded three songs, including the hit "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)."
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
In late 1996, Houston collaborated with the Atlanta-based Greater Rising Star Church choir to record the gospel soundtrack for the film The Preacher's Wife. A pair of popular songs were released from this album, “I Believe in You and Me” and “Step by Step.” The soundtrack became the best-selling gospel album. The work received positive reviews, some noting Whitney's emotional depth and phenomenal voice.
In 1997, Houston performed the Classic Whitney concert in Washington, which aired on HBO. In addition to famous hits, she performed classic compositions by such famous singers as Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday and Diana Ross. Later that year, she starred as the Fairy in Cinderella, opposite young singer Brandy. Houston performed two songs for the film - "Impossible" and "There Is Music in You".
In November 1998, Houston's fourth studio album (not counting the three previous soundtracks) was released. My Love Is Your Love. Initially, the album was conceived as a collection of the best songs, but subsequently enough new material accumulated for a full-fledged new album. The album was recorded and mixed in just six weeks.
In 1999, Whitney took part in the Divas Live ’99 concert in Las Vegas along with Tina Turner, Cher and Mary J. Blige. That same year, she undertook the My Love Is Your Love Tour. For the song "It's Not Right But It's OK" in 2000, Whitney received a Grammy in the category "Best R&B Singer".
In the spring of 2000, a collection of the best songs, Whitney: The Greatest Hits, was released. The album included the previous ballads, instead of the well-known fast songs, their house and remix versions were included, as well as four new songs, including three duets with famous artists: “Could I Have This Kiss Forever” with Enrique Iglesias, “Same Script, Different” Cast" with Deborah Cox and "If I Told You That" with George Michael. A DVD of the same name was also released. Original photos for this edition were produced by the famous and controversial photographer and director David LaChapelle.
That same year, Houston performed at a televised concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of Arista Records. Houston also became the first recipient of the BET Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to black music. In August 2001, Houston signed a new contract worth US$100 million for six new albums with Sony BMG, which became the largest in the history of the music industry at that time, breaking the record of Mariah Carey (whose US$80 million contract with EMI was terminated).
In late 2002, at the height of rumors about his drug addiction, Houston released his fifth studio album, Just Whitney. Music critics were not pleased with the songs presented, noting that the songs were merely "signs of life, but not enough to resurrect" (The San Fransisco Chronicle). This was the first time that Clive Davis had been involved in the work. The album was a commercial failure for Whitney.
Whitney Houston - Love that Man
At the end of 2003, Houston released his first Christmas album. One Wish: The Holiday Album. Reviews have been mixed, ranging from remarks about the deviations in her voice (Slant Magazine) to "meteor-like crescendos" in her music (The New York Times). The album became Houston's weakest seller.
In 2004, Houston toured Europe with the Soul Divas Tour with Natalie Cole and Dionne Warwick, as well as an international tour in the Middle East, Russia and Asia. In September, she made a surprise appearance at the World Music Awards and dedicated the performance to her mentor and friend Clive Davis. The audience gave her a standing ovation.
At the end of the summer of 2009, after a six-year lull, constantly accompanied by rumors and statements about the recording of new material, the singer’s seventh studio album, entitled I Look to You. Houston once again returns under the wing of her mentor Clive Davis, under whose leadership most of the singer’s albums were recorded. “I Look to You” also featured veterans such as Diane Warren, David Foster, R. Kelly, as well as young writers and performers - Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Danja, Johnta Austin, Akon and others.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 music chart with sales of 305 thousand copies in the first week. I Look to You repeated the success of the 1992 Bodyguard soundtrack and the 1987 Whitney studio album, reaching the top of the US main chart. In December 2009, it was announced that the album had been certified platinum, and in January 2010, the album was certified double platinum. However, despite the long-awaited and commercial success of the disc, neither the album itself, nor its authors, nor any of the compositions, nor Houston herself received a single Grammy Award nomination, which turned out to be a great disappointment and greatly surprised many.
On January 16, 2010, Houston received the BET Awards for her career achievements and the success of her album I Look to You. On January 26, 2010, a commemorative reissue of Whitney Houston's debut album, Whitney Houston - The Deluxe Anniversary Edition, was released, the release of which was twenty-five years old.
Whitney Houston - I Have Nothing
Whitney Houston's achievements:
One of the most commercially successful performers in the history of world music. Known for her musical achievements, vocal abilities and scandalous personal life.
Houston's superstar status was secured after the release of the film "The Bodyguard" in 1992, in which she played one of the main roles (along with Kevin Costner) and performed the main musical parts. The ballad “I Will Always Love You” from the movie was a huge success, becoming not only a worldwide hit and the best-selling single among female singers in the history of music, but also a “hymn of love.”
Recipient of over 400 awards, including 7 Grammy Awards, 31 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, 7 Soul Train Music Awards, 16 NAACP Image Awards, an Emmy Award, a BET Lifetime Achievement Award and many others. awards and honors from the recording and entertainment industry.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, by 2009, Houston was the artist with the most awards (The Most Awarded Female Artist of All Time).
According to her record label, the total volume of records sold is 170 million copies.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Houston is the fourth most commercially successful artist in the United States, with a certified record sales of 55 million units in this country.
Rolling Stone magazine named Houston one of the 100 greatest performers No. 34 overall.
Whitney Houston's legal battle with her father and stepmother
In 2002, Houston was involved in a legal dispute with her father John Houston, her one-time manager. John Houston Enterprise President and family friend Kevin Skinner sued Whitney Houston for breach of contract and $100 million in damages, but lost. Skinner claimed that Houston owed his company previously unpaid compensation for helping negotiate her $100 million contract with Arista Records, as well as for dealing with her legal troubles. A spokesman for the singer said her then-ill 81-year-old father was not directly involved in the lawsuit, but Skinner argued otherwise.
Houston's father died in February 2003, but the singer did not attend his funeral. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Houston herself said that due to the intrusiveness of reporters, another quiet farewell ceremony was organized for her and her family on the eve of the funeral.
The lawsuit was dismissed on April 5, 2004, after Skinner did not take part in pre-trial proceedings.
In May 2008, Whitney's stepmother, Barbara Houston, sued her stepdaughter for allegedly mishandling the inheritance of her father, who died in 2003 at the age of 82. Barbara Houston stated that she rightfully claims part of the inheritance, but Whitney manages it solely and does not pay the mortgage. Houston inherited a $1 million life insurance policy to pay her father's mortgage and other funds. Whitney herself denied all claims. On the contrary, the singer filed a counterclaim against her stepmother, demanding the return of her debt in the amount of $1.6 million.
Drug addiction and death of Whitney Houston
On January 11, 2000, at a Hawaii airport, security guards discovered marijuana in Houston and Brown's luggage, but the couple took off before authorities could arrive. Drug charges were later filed against her and Brown, which Houston later disputed. She was ordered to pay £2,100 ($4,200) in support of a youth drug program in lieu of community service.
However, rumors of drug use persisted. Two months later, her impresario Clive Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Houston was scheduled to perform at an event to commemorate the event, but canceled those plans ten minutes before the show started.
A little later, Houston was supposed to perform at the Oscar ceremony, but was removed by music director and longtime friend Bart Bacharach. Although her press secretary cited throat problems as the reason for canceling the performance, many spoke of drug problems. It was later reported that Houston's voice was shaky, she seemed distant, and her attitude was casual, almost defiant. During the scheduled performance of "Over the Rainbow", she began singing another song, "American Pie".
At the Jane Magazine interview, Houston reportedly arrived late, seemed unfocused, couldn't even open her eyes, and was playing on an imaginary piano. Later that year, executive assistant and best friend Houston Robyn Crawford has resigned from her management position in Houston.
The following year, Houston appeared at a concert in honor of the 30th anniversary of her career - Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special. She looked shockingly thin, which reignited rumors of drug use, anorexia and bulimia. Her press secretary said that Whitney was under stress due to family problems, and for this reason she was not eating. At the same show, the singer was supposed to perform again, but refused without explanation. A little later, rumors appeared in the media that the singer died of an overdose. Houston quickly denied the rumors.
In late 2002, Houston was interviewed by Diane Sawyer on her ABC Prime Time program. During the prime-time television interview, Houston answered questions and talked about her controversial public and private life. Sawyer's questions focused on rumors of drug use, the singer's health and her troubled marriage to Brown. So, when asked if she uses crack, Houston replied: “First of all, let's get one thing straight. Crack is cheap. I make too much money to smoke crack. Let's get this clear. OK? We don't do crack. We don't use it. "Crack is wack." Her statement will turn out to be dishonest. Houston, however, admitted to using various drugs at parties. When asked if her husband had ever hit her, she replied: “No, he never hit me, no. I beat him. In anger."
Whitney Houston - drugs
Houston entered a drug treatment facility for recovery in March 2004, but the following year she appeared on Brown's reality series Being Bobby Brown, displaying even more erratic behavior. In March 2005, Houston entered the same clinic, having successfully completed a rehabilitation course. Although there were rumors about Houston's drug addiction, her label insisted otherwise.
In recent years, Whitney Houston has been repeatedly treated for alcohol and drug addiction and has been sick a lot. In 2010, her world tour was canceled due to poor health.
Whitney Houston died on February 11, 2012 in a hotel room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. on the eve of the 54th Grammy Awards. The singer was found unconscious in the bathroom of her hotel room by her aunt Mary Jones. They tried to bring her back to life with the help of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but to no avail - death was registered at 15:55 US Pacific Coast time.
The police immediately ruled out the possibility of a violent death.
The 54th Grammy Awards was dedicated to Houston.
February 18 in Newark, hometown singer, a farewell ceremony took place, called “Home Going” by relatives. The ceremony, the number of guests to which was limited to one and a half thousand people, took place at the New Hope Baptist Church, in whose gospel choir Houston began soloing at the age of eleven. Among others, Dionne Warwick, Kevin Costner, Stevie Wonder, Tyler Perry, R Kelly, Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, CC Winans and BB Winans, sister Patricia Houston and the singer's bodyguard Ray Watson gave speeches and performed songs. Also, Aretha Franklin was originally scheduled to perform at the ceremony, but she was unable to attend due to health problems.
Bobby Brown, the singer's ex-husband, left the ceremony shortly after it began. At the end of the ceremony, the chrome coffin with the body of the late singer was carried out to the sound of her most famous song, “I Will Always Love You.” The ceremony, which lasted about four hours instead of the planned two, it was broadcast on the Internet. By order of the state governor, all national flags in New Jersey were lowered on this day - this last honor is usually awarded only to deceased statesmen.
On February 19, 2012, Whitney Houston was buried at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, located a few kilometers from Newark. Houston's coffin was buried next to the grave of her father, John Russell Houston (September 13, 1920 - February 2, 2003). The performer repeatedly expressed this desire during her lifetime.
On March 23, 2012, the results of the police investigation were made public, which showed that the causes of the singer’s death were drowning, atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use. The death is being described as an "accident" and investigators have "no suspicion of injury or violence." According to investigators, the examination showed that the singer was a chronic cocaine addict. Other drugs found in her blood included marijuana, a sedative (muscle relaxant) and an anti-allergy drug.
Whitney Houston's height: 168 centimeters.
Whitney Houston's personal life:
In the 1980s, Whitney Houston was romantically involved with football player Randall Cunningham.
She also had a relationship with her longtime friend and assistant Robin Crawford, although she constantly denied lesbian rumors.
At the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards, Houston met Bobby Brown, a singer from the R&B group New Edition. After three years of courtship, the couple married on July 18, 1992. Brown by that time already had disagreements with the law and three children from different women. Despite this, on March 4, 1993 - after a miscarriage the year before - Houston gave birth to a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston-Brown (1993-2015).
In the 2000s, Brown had no less problems. Rumors circulated around the couple about both drug addictions. In December 2003, after it was reported that Brown had hit Houston during an argument, he was arrested and charged.
After a long history of scandals, adultery, drug and alcohol abuse, arrests and family problems, Houston filed for divorce in the fall of 2006.
In February 2007, Houston petitioned the court to expedite the divorce, which was finalized on April 24, giving Houston full custody of their daughter.
On April 26, 2007, Brown filed an appeal of the court's decision, seeking for Houston to share custody of the child and spousal support. The statement also stated that financial and emotional problems prevented Brown from properly responding to Houston's divorce petition. Brown failed to appear for a court hearing on January 4, 2008, causing the judge to overturn his appeal, upholding Houston's full custody of his daughter. Brown also found himself without a lawyer after his lawyers refused to work with him due to “communication failures.”
The singer herself said about her marriage to Bobby Brown: “Many people began to worry about me - I was really unhappy in my marriage. I lost myself because I was always trying to please. I tried to prove to the world that they were wrong when they said that this marriage It won't last even six minutes. I was very determined. And when you lose yourself, you start to lose the true concept of love. Instead, you make a statement like this: “You guys won't win. We got married. family, we love and adore each other. And I won’t let you talk about us like that." ) And when so much is happening around you, it is very difficult to stay on the right path.
At first it was only soft drugs, and then, after the film “The Bodyguard” and after I gave birth to Christina, strong drugs were used - cocaine, marijuana. Bobby also liked to drink, while I wasn't much of a drinker. Alcoholism is a terrible thing. You either become a harmless alcoholic or an aggressive one. He was very aggressive. He changed completely, although he was always afraid to hit me, because my family warned him: “Remember, we only warned you once.” So he tried to just leave. And at that time I became a little girl who would not tell anyone anything. He often hurt me emotionally, but never physically. I grew up with two boys, and always knew how to give back. I would fight to the last...
One day he slapped me and got hit on the head three times for it. I said, "You've gone too far." The worst thing happened on his birthday. We went to Atlanta - I threw him a party at a club. He drank all evening, a lot. And for some reason, everything I did to make him happy turned against me. It was more than strange. Today I understand that alcoholics offend precisely the people they love. And when we returned home (he will hate me for what I tell), he spat in my face. And all because I loved him so much. And my daughter, going down the stairs to the first floor, saw this. There was a lot of tension - there was so much hatred for me in his eyes. I couldn't understand it because I was raised completely differently."
The only daughter died suddenly at the age of 22 in July 2015.
Bobbi Kristina Brown was in a coma after her boyfriend, Nick Gordon, discovered her in the bathroom of her Roswell, Georgia home on January 31. Her family said she had been diagnosed with permanent brain damage. At first, Bobbi Kristina was in various hospitals, then she was transferred to a hospice due to deteriorating health. Bobbi Kristina's court-appointed guardian has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Gordon.
The document states that on the day the girl was injured, which led to a coma, she quarreled with Gordon. According to the plaintiff, Brown "sustained life-threatening injuries" as a result of Gordon's conduct. According to the guardian, Gordon began beating Bobbi Kristina in order to get significant funds that she inherited from her mother. The lawsuit also alleges that while Brown was in a coma, Gordon stole more than $11,000 from her bank account.
The police considered an accident, attempted suicide and attempted murder as the main versions of what happened. In February 2015, Gordon was banned from visiting Bobbi Kristina in the hospital.
Gordon was Whitney Houston's adopted son and then began dating her daughter. After the singer's death in 2012, the couple began calling each other husband and wife, although Bobbi Kristina and Gordon were never officially married.
Filmography of Whitney Houston:
1984 - Give me a break! (Gimme a Break!) - Rita
1985 - Silver Spoons - cameo
1992 - The Bodyguard - Rachel Marron
1995 - Waiting to Exhale - Savannah Jackson
1996 - The Preacher's Wife - Julia Bigs
1997 - Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella) - Fairy
2003 - Boston Public - cameo
2012 - Sparkle - Emma
Produced by Whitney Houston:
1997 - Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella)
2001 - The Princess Diaries
2003 - The Cheetah Girls
2004 - The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
2006 - Cheetah Girls in Barcelona (The Cheetah Girls 2)
Whitney Houston discography:
1985 - Whitney Houston
1987 - Whitney
1990 - I'm Your Baby Tonight
1998 - My Love Is Your Love
2002 - Just Whitney
2003 - One Wish - The Holiday Album
2009 - I Look to You
Whitney Houston's most famous songs:
1985 - “You Give Good Love”
1985 - “Saving All My Love for You”
1986 - “How Will I Know”
1986 - “The Greatest Love of All”
1987 - “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”
1987 - “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”
1987 - “So Emotional”
1988 - “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”
1988 - “Love Will Save the Day”
1988 - “One Moment in Time”
1990 - “I’m Your Baby Tonight”
1990 - “All the Man that I Need”
1992 - “I Will Always Love You”
1993 - “I’m Every Woman”
1993 - “I Have Nothing”
1993 - “Run to You”
1993 - “Queen of the Night”
1995 - “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”
1998 - “When You Believe”
1999 - “Heartbreak Hotel”
1999 - “It’s Not Right But It’s OK”
1999 - “My Love Is Your Love”
2000 - “I Learned from the Best”
2002 - “Whatchulookinat”
2003 - “One of Those Days”
2003 - “Try It on My Own”
2003 - “Love that Man”
2009 - “Million Dollar Bill”
A modern person cannot help but know who Whitney Houston is (biography below). After all, this is a world-famous singer and film actress, a legend, about whose life there were constantly a wide variety of rumors and speculations. Her music, film roles and video clips became masterpieces on which several generations of people who were partial to the work of the famous performer grew up. Whitney's life was not sweet, it was filled with all those “charms” that are characteristic of rich and prominent personalities: drugs, alcohol. In the prime of her life, in a hotel room, where no one close or family was nearby, death took her. Everything happened quietly, the woman did not feel pain. But half the world's population suffered a painful shock! And it is still so difficult to come to terms with such a tangible and terrible loss...
Prerequisites for a musical career
Whitney Houston (Whitney Houston is a singer whose biography is replete with scandals) was supposed to become an artist, this was destined for her from birth. This simply could not have happened. To understand why, you should get to know the family into which she was born.
So, Emily Drinkard, the mother of the future superstar, as a girl was a member of a family gospel group called the Drinkard Sisters. Emily performed with Dionne Warwick's band. Later, this couple created a group, which consisted of four people. Throughout the 1970s, she worked in this ensemble and studied solo career simultaneously. Sissy (Emily) recorded three records and performed with such figures as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.
John Houston, the father of Whitney Houston (her biography is described in our article), was his wife’s manager. But when Whitney was born, John left his career and became a housewife. Emily continued to tour.
Naturally, being someone else other than a singer was not possible in this family. Moreover, Whitney’s family encouraged and inspired her, contributing in every possible way to the development of her talent. The family supported their daughter in everything and, as best they could, helped her climb the Olympus of world musical art.
Early years
Whitney Elizabeth Houston came into this world on August 9, 1963. She was born in New Jersey, Newark. Her family was quiet, loving, and believing. In a word, ideal, where everyone understood and supported each other. Therefore, when 15-year-old Houston's parents announced their divorce, it was a real shock for her. The girl stopped smiling, she lost faith in people.
Houston Whitney's solo singing, biography, life story, whose work is incredibly interesting, people first heard when she was only 11 years old. It happened at New Hope Baptist Church, which the Houston family attended and where Emily held a position. music director. That day, the young singer performed the song Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. Whitney remembered the audience's reaction for the rest of her life.
At the end of the performance, everyone present began to applaud and cry furiously. The girl’s voice and singing were so impressive and incomparable. Now Whitney simply had to become a world pop star. After all, God gave her an amazing talent, for which she must thank him.
The beginning of a solo career and modeling business
Whitney Houston's biography is not only about concerts and tours. This is also work in slightly different areas. But first things first. WITH musical career the girl was helped by her older brothers - Gary and Michael. Mike was the tour manager. He did absolutely all the work, from installing equipment to organizing the team. Gary, along with his sister, appeared on stage as a backing vocalist. Whitney felt the support of her family; she felt comfortable and warm with them. And at the same time, she was not overcome by star fever, and she did not become arrogant, as often happens.
In addition to everything, the charming Whitney had every chance of making a career in the modeling business. Whitney Houston's biography also contains this fact. The girl was spotted in the following American publications: Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, Glamor and Young Miss. The girl ended up filming for these magazines absolutely by accident, without planning such a turn in her destiny. A modeling career gave the woman the opportunity to try herself as a film actress. But all this did not stop her from making music and giving solo concerts.
Clive Davis in the Life of Whitney
The biography and episodes of Whitney Houston's life are closely connected with the name of Clive Davis. This man was once the president of the recording company Arista Records. In 1983, he heard Houston sing for the first time and signed a contract with her without any hesitation. He completely took the star under his patronage and wrote a clause in the contract that if it happens that he has to leave the company, then Whitney must also do this. Davis protected his ward from the evil intentions of her competitors and began to lay the foundation for a successful career as a performer. But recognition did not come immediately.
The cooperation of the partners was extremely successful due to the fact that Clive truly believed in the singer’s talent. Whitney worked tirelessly, but her producer did not sit idle: he was looking for the best poets who would write only the most hit compositions for her. Singer Whitney Houston, whose biography is incredibly interesting, worked with such songwriters as Linda Creed, Peter McCann and other world-famous authors. The songs of these people were included in Whitney's first album, which she released in active collaboration with Davis.
First album
Whitney Houston's first album (her biography is described by many authors) was released on February 14, 1985. The album was produced by Michael Musser, George Benson-Kashif and Narad Michael Walden. It took Davis two years and $250 thousand to create this brainchild.
The success of the album was stunning. The record, called Whitney Houston, sold 14 million copies. In America, this album became the best-selling debut disc in history. Of all the solo albums released by African-American female singers, this one was the most successful. He was on the first line of the charts for 14 weeks and was in the Top 40 for a whole year.
In 1986, Whitney's disc surpassed Madonna's records in terms of sales.
Chronology of creativity
In 1987, Whitney Houston, a biography whose years of life might still have continued if not for a fatal incident, released her second record. She saw a world called Whitney. This disc achieved no less success than its predecessor. Some songs from the collection took first place in various charts.
The third disc, released in 1990, was called I'm Your Baby Tonight. It sold eight million copies.
In 1992, Whitney Houston made her acting debut. Her biography says that the star starred in the film “Bodyguard” in leading role. In this famous film she appeared with Kevin Costner. The main song from the tape, I Will Always Love You, brought the artist even greater popularity.
The period from 1992 to 1998 was the highlight of Houston's career. Then the singer continues to work hard on creating soundtracks, records, videos and actively tours.
Personal life
One cannot ignore the star’s personal relationships, without which Whitney Houston’s biography would be incomplete, short, like her life, but rich and vibrant. Her life has never been perfect, especially in her relationships with men. Before the girl turned 25, she had only a few fleeting romances. The engagement to the famous Eddie Murphy became the biggest love adventure during this time. But Murphy was too respectable for Whitney, and she decided to break off her relationship with him. Houston wanted a passionate, bold man next to her, perhaps one who would show his strength towards her.
That guy turned out to be Bobby Charles Brown. Worldwide fame He was brought by regular scandals, a career as a gigolo, hooligan antics and the name of his wife Whitney Houston. No one could understand how a woman like her could throw in her lot with this klutz. Houston met her future husband at the age of thirty, when he was 25 at the time.
Whitney Houston: biography. Children, husband
The day Houston married Brown, her mother cried. Nobody approved of this marriage. But this is not the worst thing. The terrible thing was that Bobby beat his wife incredibly. The first time he raised his hand to her was after she filmed with Kevin Costner. Later, he threw her out of the car at night along with their three-year-old daughter Christina. The family was going to a concert. The couple had another fight, and Brown, in a rage, kicked his wife and child out into the street. At night, the young mother had to “vote” in order to catch a car and still get to the performance.
Whitney, who had an only daughter, Christina, seemed to enjoy regular fights and enjoyed them. Otherwise, how to explain what is so successful woman Have you endured this tyrant all your life? During their marriage, Whitney had many problems with drugs, health, and voice; her career either declined or rose to the top again. And also beatings, many severe and terrible beatings...
Whitney Houston: biography. Cause of death
The actress sometimes broke up with Bobby Brown, then got back together. And it is unknown how everything would have turned out further if not for Whitney’s death. The official cause was drowning; the diva died all alone. This happened in one of the rooms at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The cause of death was a combination of drugs and alcohol. This is exactly the cocktail the singer drank the day before. On the day of her death, she took a hot bath, fell asleep or lost consciousness (probably her heart could not stand it) and choked on water.
Mary Jones, Whitney's aunt, was the first to discover the star's body. Whitney Houston's biography (farewell to the legend took place in her native Newark) ended as quickly as her career began.
To see off a star on its last journey
Everyone was able to see off the superstar in last path on her small homeland. The farewell ceremony took place in the Baptist church, where young Whitney once performed. Among those present were only the artist’s closest friends and relatives. A week after her death, Houston's funeral took place. The diva was buried next to her father's grave. But in the minds of millions of people, the star continues to live, remaining just as young, beautiful, talented and cheerful, just as alive. And most importantly, her songs still delight people all over the world, which means that Houston continues to live.
In mother's footsteps
It seems that Whitney Houston's daughter, whose biography is described above, almost repeated the fate of her mother. The unconscious girl was found by her boyfriend, Nick Gordon. Bobbi Kristina lay in a filled bathtub and did not breathe. Upon arrival at the call, doctors performed artificial respiration on her and took her to the hospital, where they were forced to put her into an artificial coma.
There were many rumors about why this happened to the Whitney heiress. Some claimed that the attack was provoked by Nick's regular beatings. Other versions are related to the fact that shortly before the tragedy the girl got into a car accident, received many bruises, and in the end what happened happened.
The queen of soul and rhythm and blues, owner of a unique mezzo-soprano, Whitney Houston did not live to see 50, but managed to go down in history as one of the most successful performers in the world, and her hit “I Will Always Love You” became the best-selling single with female vocals.
Whitney Houston (Whitney Elizabeth Houston) was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey. The girl grew up in a creative atmosphere - her mother and sisters performed professionally in the styles of rhythm and blues and gospel. At age 11, Whitney began singing in a church choir and then performing as a backing vocalist. At one of her performances at Carnegie Hall, a photographer from Seventeen noticed her and invited her to film. Whitney became the first black model to appear on the cover of Seventeen.
In 1985, the singer recorded her debut album of the same name, which brought her 7 Grammy nominations and first place on the Billboard 200. The album received rave reviews, mainly due to the diva’s exceptional vocal abilities. Thanks to Whitney's triumph, the road to the big stage became open to other African-American women, including Janet Jackson and Anita Baker.
In 1992, the film “The Bodyguard” was released, where Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner played the main roles. Houston also produced and recorded the soundtrack, which featured a cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" as the theme song. The soundtrack sold 45 million copies, the single sold 12 million copies. Also, 2 singles “Run to You” and “I Have Nothing” were nominated for an Academy Award.
beautiful and talented singer She was credited with affairs with Eddie Murphy and football star Randall Cunningham, but in 1992 she married singer and actor Bobby Bryan, and this marriage became fatal for her. Bobby had several criminal records and suffered from drug addiction and bipolar disorder. Less than a year later, Whitney's image began to rapidly deteriorate - she appeared at concerts while high, missed interviews, and the police several times brought charges against the couple for illegal drug possession. However, this did not affect the popularity of the star - the album “Just Whitney” took first place in the dance charts and sold 3 million copies. In 2007, after the airing of the controversial reality show Being Bobby Brown, which shed light on domestic violence and drug problems, Whitney filed for divorce from Bobby and devoted herself to creativity and raising her daughter.
On February 11, 2012, the singer was found unconscious in a hotel room. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be drowning in a bathtub due to heart failure and cocaine use.