Whitney Houston the pop music icon and the singer has died at the age of 48.

Whitney Houston, pop music icon and the singer of such songs as “I Will Always Love You” and “The Greatest Love of All,” has died at the age of 48. On February 11, 2012, Houston died of unknown causes at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Houston’s death, comes on the eve of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, was first reported by the Associated Press. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

Inspired by prominent soul singers in her family, including her mother Cissy Houston, cousins Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and her godmother Aretha Franklin, Houston began singing with New Jersey church's junior gospel choir at age 11.

Houston's music career spanned nearly 30 years, sold more than 55 million records in the U.S. alone. Houston'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. Its lead single "I Will Always Love You", became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history. With the album, Houston became the first act (solo or group, male or female) to sell more than a million copies of an album within a single week period.

In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most-awarded female act of all time.[3] Her list of awards includes two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model.

The 48-year-old singer - who has overcome crack cocaine addiction - has allegedly spent all of her fortune, including a reported $100million record deal. Whitney is being financially supported by her record label Arista, which has given her an advance payment on her next album, according to reports.

Sources:
mashable
IMDb
 Mail Online
guardian.co.uk

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