The top pop diva of the '80s and '90s, Houston later became plagued by career-hampering problems. After working as a model in her teens, this sexy hit-maker burst onto the music scene in 1985 with her eponymous debut album, which spawned a slew of No. 1 songs. In 1992, Houston made her seemingly inevitable film debut in the romantic thriller
The Bodyguard and married volatile R&B singer Bobby Brown. Although she continued to make movies and albums for the rest of the decade, stories about her unstable personal life filled the tabloids, including multiple stints in drug rehab, shocking weight loss and rumors of spousal abuse. In 2005 Houston and her hubby opened up their lives to even more scrutiny when they launched their own reality show,
Being Bobby Brown. The next year, the tempestuous couple separated after 14 years of marriage.
Whitney Houston Fast Facts:- Nicknamed Nippy by her parents; later used the moniker as the name of her management company.
- Mother is gospel singer Cissy Houston and began singing in her church choir at age 11.
- Landed gigs as a backup vocalist for Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls in 1978.
- Worked as a model in the early '80s, gracing the covers of Glamour and Seventeen magazines.
- Broke a U.S. chart record in 1988 with seven consecutive No. 1 hits, beating the previous record of six by The Beatles and The Bee Gees.
- Formed the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children in 1989, which gives annual grants for deserving minorities to attend New York City's Juilliard School of Music.
- Received an honorary doctorate from Grambling University.
- Whitney Houston Relationships:
- Bobbie Kristina Brown Houston - Daughter
- Bobby Brown - Ex-husband
- Cissy Houston - Mother
- Dionne Warwick - Cousin
- Gary Garland Houston - Brother
- John Houston - Father
- Michael Houston - Brother
- Whitney Houston Awards:
- 1998 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Musical Performer - Winner
- 1993 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Musical Performer - Winner
- 1993 People's Choice Awards: Favorite New Music Video - Winner
- 1989 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Musical Performer - Winner
- 1988 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Musical Performer - Winner
- 1987 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Musical Performer - Winner
- 1986 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 1998 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
- 1993 Grammy: Album of the Year - Winner
- 1985 Grammy: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - Winner
- 1987 Grammy: Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female - Winner
- 1993 Grammy: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - Winner
- 1999 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
- 1993 Grammy: Record of the Year - Winner
