Whitney Houston - Biography and discography, all albums and songs

Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress and producer, widely regarded as one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. Her unique tone, powerful range and emotional delivery made her a true icon of her era. Over the course of her career, she sold more than 200 million records worldwide and set records that remain unmatched to this day.

Early life and family

Whitney was born in Newark, New Jersey, into a family where music was present from day one. Her mother, Cissy Houston, was a renowned gospel singer and backing vocalist for Aretha Franklin.
Her cousin was Dionne Warwick, and her godmother was none other than Aretha Franklin herself. Growing up in such an environment virtually predetermined her musical path.

From a young age, Whitney sang in the church choir and learned to control and shape her voice. As a teenager, she performed in New York clubs alongside her mother, astonishing audiences with the maturity and depth of her performances.

Career beginnings

In the late 1970s, Whitney began working as a backing vocalist for established artists such as Chaka Khan, Lou Rawls and Jermaine Jackson.
At the same time, she tried her hand at modeling and became the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Seventeen magazine.

The turning point came in 1983, when she signed with Arista Records. Her musical mentor became legendary producer Clive Davis, who helped unlock the full potential of the young singer.

Breakthrough and global success

Her debut album, Whitney Houston (1985), caused a sensation.
The hits "Saving All My Love for You", "How Will I Know" and "Greatest Love of All" all topped the charts. The album became the best-selling debut by a female artist in history at the time and earned her her first Grammy Award.

Her second album, Whitney (1987), cemented her success. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — the first time in history that a woman had achieved this.
The single "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" became one of the defining anthems of the 1980s and earned her yet another Grammy.

Hollywood and “The Bodyguard”

In 1992, Whitney made her film debut in the legendary movie The Bodyguard alongside Kevin Costner.
The film became a worldwide phenomenon, and its soundtrack is still one of the most successful of all time.

The song "I Will Always Love You" (a cover of Dolly Parton’s classic) reached No. 1 in the charts of 26 countries and remained at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for a staggering 14 consecutive weeks.
The soundtrack became the best-selling soundtrack album in film history (over 45 million copies sold) and brought Whitney three Grammy Awards.

Following the success of the film, she appeared in other movie projects:

• Waiting to Exhale (1995)

• The Preacher’s Wife (1996), where she performed powerful gospel songs.

Personal life and struggles

In 1992, Whitney married singer Bobby Brown, with whom she had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown.
The marriage was turbulent — conflicts, scandals and substance abuse gradually undermined her career. By the late 1990s, she began appearing less frequently on stage and in the media.

In the 2000s, Houston underwent treatment for addiction several times and spoke about her struggle openly in interviews.

Comeback and later years

In 2009, she released her final studio album, I Look to You, which became a symbol of her comeback. The record debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the title track became an anthem of hope and faith.

She returned to touring, but her health and voice were no longer what they once were. Even so, audiences around the world welcomed her return with warmth and admiration.

Tragic death

On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Los Angeles, the day before the Grammy Awards ceremony.
The official cause of death was drowning, brought on by a combination of heart disease and drug use. She was 48 years old.

Achievements and awards

• Over 200 million records sold worldwide

• 7 Grammy Awards

• 31 Billboard Music Awards

• 22 American Music Awards

• 2 Emmy Awards

• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2020)

• A record 7 consecutive No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100

Complete discography

Studio albums:

1. Whitney Houston (1985)

2. Whitney (1987)

3. I’m Your Baby Tonight (1990)

4. My Love Is Your Love (1998)

5. Just Whitney (2002)

6. One Wish: The Holiday Album (2003)

7. I Look to You (2009)

Soundtracks:

1. The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album (1992)

2. Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album (1995)

3. The Preacher’s Wife: Original Soundtrack Album (1996)

Compilations and greatest hits:

1. Whitney: The Greatest Hits (2000)

2. Love, Whitney (2001)

3. The Ultimate Collection (2007)

4. I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston (2012)

5. Whitney Houston – I Wish You Love: More from The Bodyguard (2017)

Interesting facts

• Whitney’s vocal range spanned three octaves and was famed for its crystal clarity and power.

• Her vocal style influenced an entire generation of singers — from Mariah Carey and Beyoncé to Adele.

• She became the first artist to top the charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom at the same time.

• In 1991, she performed the U.S. national anthem at the Super Bowl — a rendition that is still considered definitive.

• After her death, many of her recordings returned to the charts, and "I Will Always Love You" once again became a worldwide hit.

Legacy

Whitney Houston was not just a singer, but a cultural phenomenon.
She proved that the power of the soul and the voice of the heart can change the world, and her songs — "I Have Nothing", "Run to You", "I Wanna Dance with Somebody", "I Will Always Love You" — have become an eternal part of global musical memory.

Her story is one of tragedy and inspiration, a voice and a legend that will forever live on in the hearts of millions of listeners.