Whitney Houston: Net Worth, Career Details & Her Tragic Demise

Who is Whitney Houston?

Whitney Houston, an iconic American singer, actress, and producer, was born in Newark, New Jersey, on August 9, 1963. Her emotional performances amazed people worldwide. This is due to her exceptional singing range and undeniable talent. The music industry will never forget her, as she achieved incredible success.

Even as a young child, Whitney’s musical talent was obvious. She grew up in a family with deep connections to music, which influenced her. Her mother, Cissy Houston, was a talented gospel singer, and her cousin, Dionne Warwick, became a famous pop vocalist. These family ties played a role in nurturing her natural talent and love for singing.

Whitney’s breakthrough happened in the mid-1980s. This was when she released her first self-titled album in 1985. Her mesmerizing vocals made the album a hit. She also topped the charts for her songs like “Greatest Love of All” and “Saving All My Love for You.” This album showcased her incredible vocal range and established her as a dominant force in the music industry.

Her next albums further cemented her status as a musical powerhouse. Whitney’s second album, “Whitney” (1987), featured unforgettable hits like “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” These songs demonstrated her remarkable versatility as a singer. Her ability to infuse emotions into her performances and her vocal control captivated listeners worldwide.

Family & Early Childhood

Whitney Elizabeth Houston, born on August 9th, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, had parents involved in the entertainment industry. Her mother, Grammy-award-winning gospel singer Emily “Cissy” Houston, and her father, John R. Houston, managed her production company.

Whitney came from a family of talented singers and actresses. Her mother’s ‘Sweet Inspirations’ vocal group even provided backup vocals for Aretha Franklin. Also, her cousins Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick and her godmother Darlene Love were renowned singers. She was also the first cousin of singers Dee Dee Warwick and Dionne Warwick.

At eleven, Whitney started singing solo in her church’s gospel choir. She also learned to play the piano. While attending Catholic school, she received voice lessons from her mother and also performed with her in nightclubs.

At 14, Whitney got an opportunity to work as a backup singer on the Michael Zager Band’s single titled ‘Life’s a Party.’

Her powerful rendition of the national anthem moved the nation to tears.

Whitney ventured into fashion modeling in the 1980s after a photographer spotted her at Carnegie Hall. She became a highly sought-after young model.

In 1983, Gerry Griffith, an A&R representative from Arista Records, saw Whitney perform alongside her mother in New York. Being impressed with her singing skills, he immediately recommended her to Clive Davis, the head of Arista Records.

Impressed by her talent, Clive Davis wasted no time and offered Whitney a record deal, which she signed. Later that same year, she made her television debut on The Merv Griffin Show, appearing alongside Davis.

Personal Life

Whitney and Bobby Brown met at an awards ceremony and began dating. After three years of courtship, they married on July 18th, 1992.

Unfortunately, their marriage didn’t last, and they divorced in 2007. Whitney gained custody of their daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

Whitney faced a tough struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. She went to rehab twice and, in 2011, joined an outpatient program.

Despite her challenges, Whitney supported various children’s organizations. Her legacy lives on through the ‘Whitney Foundation for Children,’ which carries on her important work.

The Truth Behind Whitey Houston & Michael Jackson’s Relationship

Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, famous pop icons from the 1980s, broke barriers in music and media. They became superstars at a young age, and it’s not surprising that they connected since they belonged to the same social circles and attended similar events.

During their peak fame, it was a secret that Jackson and Houston were dating. Some reports even claim that Jackson expressed his desire to marry her. Although fans may not have known about it, Jackson’s bodyguard revealed they were in a relationship.

Considering their immense popularity, it was inevitable for Jackson and Houston to cross paths as two prominent pop singers of the 20th century.

Years after their tragic deaths, it was revealed that their relationship may have been more than friendship. But it was short-lived. According to Jackson’s former bodyguard, they had a two-week affair. Due to their massive fame, they connected as kindred spirits. In fact, Whitney even stayed at Michael’s ranch. But the relationship didn’t last long, and Jackson wished it had gone further, even dreaming of marrying her. He hid this information because it wasn’t sensational enough for the public.

Career Details

Houston’s career has been full of achievements and successes. She began as a backup singer for the Michael Zager Band’s song ‘Life’s a Party.’ The next year, she sang on Chaka Khan’s single ‘I’m Every Woman.’ She had a chance to sign with a recording company, but her mother declined the offer so she could finish high school.

Whitney worked as a model at seventeen and appeared in magazines, including ‘Seventeen.’ She made history as the first African American to grace the magazine cover. She also took on acting roles, appearing in TV shows like ‘Gimme a Break,’ while continuing to hone her singing skills.

In 1983, Whitney signed with ‘Arista Records.’ The company’s president, Clive Davis, spent the next few years assembling songwriters and producers to blend her gospel-inspired voice with contemporary melodies.

Her self-titled debut album, ‘Whitney Houston,’ released in 1985, gradually became the best-selling album of her career. She received numerous awards and embarked on successful tours in the United States and Europe.

During the late 1980s, Whitney’s songs consistently reached the top of the Billboard charts. She set a record and became the first woman to achieve four number-one singles from a single album. In 1991, she delivered a legendary national anthem performance while considering a career in acting. At this time, she was also preparing for her lead role in ‘The Bodyguard.’

Whitney Houston helped produce “The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album with Clive Davis,” and it sold over 45 million copies worldwide. It holds the record as the top-selling soundtrack ever.

In 1992, Whitney married singer Bobby Brown, whom she had met a few years earlier. Despite being pregnant, she accepted the role in the movie ‘The Bodyguard.’ The movie was a huge success, grossing $390 million at the box office. The soundtrack included one of Houston’s most iconic and long-lasting singles: ‘I Will Always Love You.’

By 1993, Whitney had reached the peak of her career. She produced several other successful films, including ‘Waiting to Exhale’ (1995), ‘The Preacher’s Wife’ (1996), and ‘Sparkle’ (2012).

Achievements and Accolades

Whitney Houston has garnered over 400 accolades throughout her career. This includes six Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards.

The 2009 Guinness World Records recognized her as the most honored female musician in history.

What sets Houston apart is her exceptional achievement of having multiple albums ranked at the top of the charts. Among her remarkable accomplishments, she stands as the only woman to accomplish this feat with not just one but three albums: “Whitney Houston,” “Whitney,” and the soundtrack of the renowned film, “The Bodyguard.”

Houston’s Untimely Demise

Whitney Houston passed away unexpectedly and tragically. Her untimely demise occurred on February 11, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California. The cause of her demise was accidental drowning in her hotel bathtub, with the effects of cardiac disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors. Houston’s passing at age 48 deeply saddened her fans and the music industry. This marked the end of a remarkable talent and left a lasting legacy in the music world.

Net Worth

According to Cheat Sheet, Whitney Houston had a net worth of $20 million at the time of her death. Her net worth encompassed various sources of income. This includes the $100 million contract she signed with Arista Records in 2001. She also earned $10 million for her role as Julia Coleman Biggs in the 1995 film “The Preacher’s Wife”. Thereafter, her income was $36 million from her 2010 Nothing But Love Tour.

Forbes reported that the most financially lucrative period of Houston’s career was between 1993 and 1994. This was the time when “The Bodyguard” got released. At that time, Forbes ranked her as the third highest-earning female entertainer, surpassed only by Oprah Winfrey and Barbra Streisand.

Who Inherited Her Property?

Whitney Houston’s only child, her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, inherited Houston’s estate. Houston had drafted her will in 1993. This was shortly after Bobbi Kristina’s birth. She made revisions to it in April 2000 to ensure her daughter would receive the entire estate.

According to USA Today, Bobbi Kristina, who was 19 years old when Houston passed away, received 10 percent of the estate, which amounted to $2 million. The rest was placed in a trust fund until she reached 21. As outlined in Houston’s will, Bobbi Kristina was supposed to receive an additional portion when she turned 25 and the rest when she turned 30. However, she never reached the age of 25.

Tragically, Bobbi Kristina passed away on July 26, 2015, at 22. Like her mother, she was found face down in a bathtub at her residence on January 31, 2015. The doctors performed CRP until emergency medical services arrived. Then she was taken to North Fulton Hospital. She was in a medically induced coma due to significant brain damage. Bobbi Kristina ultimately passed away while under medical care.