Whitney Houston was clearly a true pop icon.
With more than 170 million combined album, singles and videos sold worldwide, Whitney Houston was clearly a true pop icon.
The Grammy Award winning singer and actress, who was most successful during the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, starred in a number of hit movies including The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale and influenced generations of young singers.
Despite her success, she had a history of drug and alcohol use and once said “The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy.”
Click through the gallery to take a look back at her life in pictures.
A young Whitney with her mother Cissy Houston.
Whitney Houston performing in 1960.
Houston was brought up around great singers including her godmother, Aretha Franklin.
She is the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits.
Houston has won six Grammys. Her first was in 1986 for her hit Saving All My Love for You.
Houston has been romantically linked to a number of celebrities including Eddie Murphy.
Houston with Michael Jackson at the United Negro College Fund.
Houston performs in the mid-80s.
Houston at the 21st annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony.
Houston met Bobby Brown in 1989, after dating three years the pair married in 1992.
Houston’s single “I will always love you” became the best-selling single by a female artist.
Houston in her hit movie The Bodyguard.
Houston influenced a number of stars including Mariah Carey.
Houston became known for her drug use and has admitted to using cocaine.
Whitney pictured with her daughter Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown.
Houston had recently finished production on her movie Sparkle before her tragic death.
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