Born in 1963, Whitney Houston started singing at a young age in her local church choir, and would later provide backup vocals to music giants like Chaka Khan in the 1970s and early 1980s, according to The New York Times. In 1983, record producer Clive Davis signed Houston to his label after hearing her perform in a nightclub and helped her release her debut album, "Whitney Houston," in 1985.
From then on, Houston became a pop superstar. Throughout her career, she became one the bestselling artists of all time and won multiple awards and accolades, including six Grammy Awards and 16 Billboard Music Awards. Outside of her work in music, she was also recognised for acting, and has film credits in acclaimed films such as "The Bodyguard" and "The Preacher's Wife."
In 2012, Houston tragically died at the age of 48 from the heart condition atherosclerosis and cocaine use, as per The LA Times.