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Whitney Elizabeth Houston is born in Newark, New Jersey to mother Cissy Houston, a noted gospel singer, and Army serviceman and entertainment exec John Russell Houston Jr.
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At 14 Whitney becomes a backup singer on the Michael Zager Band's single "Life's a Party." But when Zager offers her a redording contract, her mother rejects the offer, wanting Whitney to finish school first.
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he singer begins modeling after being spotted by a photographer at Carnegie Hall. Whitney is featured in Seventeen magazine, becoming one of the first women of color to grace the mag's cover.
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A&r head Clive Davis offers Houston a worldwide recording contract.
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Her single "How Will I Know" hits number one and its video introduces Houston to the MTV generation—making her the first African-American female artist to receive consistent heavy rotation on MTV.
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Houston performs "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV. Due to the success of her rendition, it's released as a commercial single and reaches the Top 20 on the US Hot 100, making Houston the only act to turn the National Anthem into a pop hit.
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Whitney Houston marries Bobbi Brown
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She died of drug overdose
