Whitney Houston: Life In Photos - People - Stylist Magazine

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Whitney began performing as a soloist in a junior gospel choir at the age of 11, in 1974. She then developed her voice as a back-up singer for artists such as Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and Lou Rawls.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

By the time this photo was taken, in 1985, she was on the cusp of international fame with her debut album Whitney Houston.

The collection, with hits including Saving All My Love For You and Greatest Love of All, was an overnight success, selling millions of copies and propelling Whitney to stardom.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Her incredible voice quickly won critical praise as well; at the 1986 Grammys, Whitney won best pop vocal performance for Saving All My Love for You.

Her debut was also crowned best album of 1986 by Rolling Stone magazine.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

With the New York Times heralding her as "one of her generation's most powerful gospel-trained voices," it was little wonder that Whitney attracted hordes of fans wherever she went - including here, at the San Remo pop festival in 1987.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

It was clear to all that she was a star like no other, who held audiences spellbound with her powerful vocals.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

The icing on the cake of Whitney's stardom came when she recorded the theme tune to the 1988 Olympics in South Korea, One Moment In Time.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

The year after, in 1992, Whitney brought her singing talents to bear on the movie industry, starring opposite Kevin Costner in the now-legendary drama The Bodyguard.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

The movie was an instant hit, with the soundtrack , I Will Always Love You - an adaptation of the previously little-known song by Dolly Parton - proving to be the signature ballad of Whitney's career, winning two Grammys and staying at the top of the charts for weeks on end.

It was the pinnacle of Whitney's extraordinary rise to fame, showcasing the amazing, far-reaching capacity of her voice.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Also in 1992, Whitney married former New Edition member, soul star Bobby Brown.

Their ill-fated relationship was to garner many headlines over the years and was notoriously stormy, with Brown arrested several times on charges of domestic abuse.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

The movie won several awards for Whitney's song Count On Me.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Whitney continued to perform through the mid-1990s but her hits were less frequent as her marriage descended into chaos and she fell victim of drug abuse.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

In 1997, she starred opposite singer Brandy Norwood in the TV adaptation of Rogers and Hammerstein's musical Cinderella.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Performing at the Brit Awards in London in 1999.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Whitney is pictured with then Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham - and David Beckham - following a performance at Wembley Arena.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Holding a gong for best R&B vocals at the 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards.

The same year, Whitney and Mariah Carey's duet When You Believe for animation The Prince Of Egypt won an Oscar for best original song.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Around this time, in 2002, Whitney appeared in a now-infamous interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer.

"The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy," she said, referring to her struggle with drug addiction.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Whitney performing at the World Music Awards in Las Vegas 2004, the same year she spent a brief spell in rehab.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Pictured with Clive Davis, the music executive who first "discovered" Whitney and put her on a path to international stardom.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

Pictured at a pre-Grammy party in 2008.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

A poster promoting Whitney's 2009 comeback album I Look To You.

It debuted at the top of the charts and went platinum, although reviews were mixed.

Whitney Houston: life in photos

On the Milan stop of a world tour in 2009 - the year Whitney declared herself drug-free in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.