MANILA, Philippines — Born on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, Whitney Houston released her debut album at age 22 and scored three number one singles. Whitney (1987) delivered four more number ones and earned Houston her first Grammy.

With her marriage to singer Bobby Brown in 1992, Houston's career got off track. She made a comeback with 2009's I Look to You. Houston died on February 11, 2012.

Birth Date: August 9, 1963

Death Date: February 11, 2012

Best Known For: Whitney Houston was an American singer and actress whose first four albums, released between 1985 and 1992, amassed global sales in excess of 86 million copies.

1974: She started out singing in her church gospel choir at age 11.

1977: She became the lead singer of a band at only 14 years of age. This was also the year when Whitney was offered a contract but Cissy Houston declined it because studies were considered to be a priority.

1979: She sang the background vocals for the Chaka Khan hit – I'm every woman.

1980: She had her tryst with modeling and was spotted by a photographer at the Carnegie Hall. This led to a modeling offer, which propelled Whitney on the covers of the Vogue magazine. This same year, she appeared in a soft drink

commercial.

1983: She signed her first recording contract with Arista Records after giving a very impressive performance with her mother in a New York city nightclub.

1985: Whitney's self titled debut album was released on February 14, 1985.

1986: Whitney’s album reached the No. 1 slot in March, 1986 and later won a Grammy Award for the album that was also recorded as the Best Album of 1986 by the Rolling Stone. She also won her first Grammy Award for the Best Pop Vocal Performance, Best Female Performer (Saving All My Love For You).

1987: Whitney scaled new heights of popularity and stardom this year. Most of her singles all touched the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. On June, 1987 her second album – “Whitney” – was released.

1988: She was nominated for three awards. She received her second Grammy Award for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her hit track – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

1990: Her third studio album was released in November, 1990 titled “I'm Your Baby Tonight.”

1991: The only singer who turned a national anthem into a hit track, which reached the Top 20 on the US Hot 100.

1992: Married Bobby Brown on July 18, 1992. She starred in the box office hit “The Bodyguard” where she made her first big screen debut. She also recorded six tracks for the soundtrack album. Her track “I Will Always Love You” (A Dolly Parton hit) became one of her biggest hits.

1993: Whitney Houston goes on a worldwide tour.

1995: Whitney co-produced her album, “Waiting to Exhale with Babyface.”

1996: Whitney Houston recorded The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album and co produced it with Mervyn Warren.

1997: This year, Whitney Houston performed for a televised concert Classic Whitney, for HBO.

1998: This year saw the release of her album “My Love Is Your Love” in the month of November.

1999: Whitney Houston participated with Mary J. Blige, Cher and Tina Turner in the VH-1's Divas' Live '99.

2000: Whitney's double disc album titled “Whitney: The Greatest Hits” was released in April, 2000. She was also the first recipient for the BET Lifetime Achievement Award for her notable contribution towards black music.

2001: She signed one of the biggest deals this year. In August, Whitney signed a record deal with Arista/BMG.

2002: She released her fifth studio album titled “Just Whitney.” In a 2002 TV interview, she admitted using marijuana, cocaine, alcohol and prescription drugs.

2003: Whitney Houston released One Wish: The Holiday Album.

2004: She went on an international tour along with other artists such as Natalie Cole and Dionne Warwick. She also performed for the World Music Awards where she received a standing ovation.

2006: Whitney Houston divorced Bobby Brown.

2007: Arista released The Ultimate Collection in 2007. She also performed in Kuala Lumpur in December 2007.

2009: She admitted lacing marijuana with rock cocaine. She also launched a comeback tour in the same year.

2011: In May, 2011, she enrolled in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

2012: On February 11, 2012, she died in a fourth-floor room of the Beverly Hotel in Los Angeles.