Whitney Houston, the popular pop singer who wowed fans with her powerful voice, has died. She was 48.
The singer’s publicist confirmed to the Associated Press on Saturday that Houston has died, but the cause and location of her death was unknown.
TMZ is reporting that Houston died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, citing unnamed sources.
For nearly two decades, Houston was one of the country’s best selling artists, and the legendary singer won six Grammy awards during her career.
Her singing talents also allowed her to venture off to other areas in the entertainment industry, producing music and starring in several films, including “Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”
The New Jersey-native went through personal struggles after her enormously successful career, battling drug addiction and displaying erratic behavior. Houston abused cocaine, marijuana and pills, which had a negative effect on her once perfect voice.
“The biggest devil is me,” she told ABC’s Diane Sawyer in a 2002 interview. “I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy.”
Present day stars who grew up listening to her music have said they were influenced by Houston’s talents.
She sold more than 55 million records in the United States.
Some of her biggest songs include, “I Will Always Love you,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “So Emotional,” Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” and “Didn’t We Almost Have it All.”
Her famous rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” during the Super Bowl in 1991 is still considered one of the most moving performances during a live sporting event.
Houston married singer and songwriter Bobby Brown in 1992 and they had one child together. The couple split up in 2007.
