African Celebrities: Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer and actress. She was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. She was the second child of Army serviceman and entertainment executive John Russell Houston Jr. and gospel singer Cissy Houston. She had two older brothers, Gary Garland (half brother, son of her mother) who was also a singer, and Michael Houston. Her mother along with cousins Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, godmother Darlene love and honorary aunt Aretha Franklin were all notable figures in the gospel, rhythm and blues, pop and soul genres. Whitney Houston was raised a Baptist, but was also exposed to the Pentecostal church.

Whitney Houston was one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 200 million records worldwide. She released six studio albums, one holiday album, and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification.

Whitney's first acting role was as the star of the feature film The Bodyguard (1992). The film's original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for album of the year.

Whitney Houston continued to star in movies and contribute to their soundtracks, including the films waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher's wife (1996). The Preacher's wife soundtrack became the best-selling gospel album in history.

Whitney Houston was married to Bobby Brown on July 18, 1992. On March 4, 1993 she gave birth to her only child Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown.

Whitney Houston died on February 11, 2012. She was found dead in her guest room at The Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California. She was buried on February 19, 2012 in Fair view Cemetery, in West field New Jersey next to her father, John Russell Houston, who died in 2003.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston and her daughter Bobbi Kristina

Whitney Houston (right) and her mother Cissy Houston

Whitney Houston (left) and her mother Cissy Houston in 1986

Whitney Houston (center) with her family; left to right: her brother Gary Garland, mother Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston, Her father John Russell Houston and Michael Houston