Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston possessed the most extraordinary voice of her generation — a soprano instrument of such power, clarity, and emotional range that it redefined what popular music could sound like. Her rendition of "I Will Always Love You" remains one of the best-selling singles in history, and her self-titled debut album made her the first artist to have seven consecutive number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1963, Houston grew up in a gospel dynasty. Her mother was Cissy Houston, a renowned gospel and backup singer. Her cousin was Dionne Warwick. Her godmother was Aretha Franklin. Music wasn't just in her blood — it was the family business. She began singing in church as a child and was signed to Arista Records at 19 by Clive Davis, who recognized her once-in-a-lifetime talent.

Houston's career achievements are staggering: over 200 million records sold, six Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and starring roles in The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale, and The Preacher's Wife. She opened doors for Black female artists in pop music at a time when the genre was largely segregated. Her struggles with addiction, played out publicly and cruelly in tabloid media, made her eventual death in 2012 all the more devastating — but they cannot diminish the incandescent gift she shared with the world.