Life and Times of Whitney Houston

The showbiz world was rocked today with the tragic news that one of music's biggest legends Whitney Houston is dead.
We look back at the life and times of the Grammy and Emmy-Award winning artist whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 48.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born to a middle class family in Newark, New Jersey in 1963.
She was the third and youngest child of Army serviceman and entertainment executive John Russell Houston, Jr., who passed away in 2003, and gospel singer Cissy Houston. Continue to see pictures of Houston's life moments.

A star is born:  Whitney, seen here in 1984, first became interested in music after frequently accompanying her mother Cissy when she performed in nightclubs

Beauty: With her stunning good looks and incredible voice, Whitney was destined for stardom

(Proud parents: Whitney is seen here with her mother Cissy and late father John Russell Houston, Jr. in 1985)
 Her cousins Dionne Warwick and the late Dee Dee Warwick, and also her godmother Aretha Franklin all made a huge mark on he gospel and R&B scene.
Whitney first became interested in being in the music industry after frequently accompanying her mother Cissy who often performed in nightclubs.
Sometimes the teen would even take to the stage herself and perform.
Houston was offered her very first recording contract at the age of 14 by Michael Zanger, after she wowed him with her back-up singing on a record for his group, Michael Zanger band

Family of songstresses: Whitney seen here with her mother Cissy, left, and cousin Dionne Warwick, right, and Don King, far left 

                                 Musical masterminds: Whitney is seen here with Dionne in 2006

Protege: Whitney and record producer Clive Davis had one of the closest business relationships in showbiz

'She uses ornamental gospel phrasing only sparingly, and instead of projecting an earthy, tearful vulnerability, communicates cool self-assurance and strength, building pop ballads to majestic, sustained peaks of intensity.'

Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences.

The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the Soul Train Awards in 1989.

 Famous friends: Whitney was close friends with the late King Of Pop Michael Jackson and sang back-up vocals on his father Jermaine Jackson's album. Here they are seen in 1988

She went on to become the first ever woman of colour to appear in a fashion magazine after gracing the pages of Seventeen magazine in the early Eighties.
Subsequently she appeared in Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Young Miss magazines, and also in a TV advertisement for Canada Dry soft drink.
It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.

 Big earner: Over the span of her career, Houston sold a whopping 55 million albums in the United States

Model looks: Houston often graced the covers and pages of several fashion magazines

Best of friends: Whitney performed duets with Mariah Carey several times, here they are seen on stage at the Oscars in 1999

 A romance was born: Whitney married former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown in 1992, Odd pairing: It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop's pure princess while he had a bad-boy image, and already had children of his own

Apple of her mother's eye: The couple went on to have a daughter, Bobbi Kristina in 1993, here she is seen with her mother at a boxing match in 2008

Public meltdown: During the height of her drug use there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns, here she is seen with former husband Bobby Brown in 2006

 Cleaning up her act: Houston declared herself drug-free to Oprah Winfrey in 2010

Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album I Look To You. The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.
Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on Good Morning America went awry as Houston's voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice.
A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out.

Troubled again: Whitney Houston looked worse for wear as she left Tru Hollywood nightclub earlier this week

Canceled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.

Recently Houston appeared to be battling her demons once more.

She was spotted looking worse for wear earlier this week in Hollywood, California after enjoying a party with friends.

The superstar singer had been a guest at the Kelly Price & Friends Unplugged: For The Love Of R&B Grammy Party at Tru Hollywood and had even performed during the night.

Taking a bow: Whitney will be remembered as one of the greatest recording artists of all times

To read and see more important photos of whitney and those she crossed paths with click here