Whitney Houston

Houston was 19 when Arista Records chief Clive David signed her to a recording contract. Her self-titled debut album, released in 1985, spent three years on The Billboard 200 albums chart, including 14 weeks at No. 1; it sold 25 million copies worldwide. Three of the album’s tracks—“Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” and “Greatest Love of All”—went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart.

Houston’s second album, “Whitney,” debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 albums chart and went on to sell 20 million copies worldwide. A third album, “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” released in 1990, was another global triumph.

In 1992, Houston made her film debut, co-starring with Kevin Costner in “The Bodyguard.” The film grossed more than $400 million worldwide and served as the launch pad for Houston’s biggest single, “I Will Always Love You.” The film was then adapted into a stage musical. In the ensuing years, Houston starred in two more major Hollywood films, “Waiting to Exhale” (1995) and “The Preacher’s Wife” (1996), both of which were accompanied by hit Houston soundtracks.

Another hit studio album, “My Love is Your Love,” followed in 1998, which was then followed by her 2009 album, “I Look to You."

On Feb. 11, 2012, Houston was found dead in a Beverly Hills hotel. A toxicology report found drugs in her system, including cocaine. As if this was not enough for her family to bear, Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, died three years later, at the age of 22.