COMMENTARY | Whitney Houston was found in her Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel room at 3:55 p.m. last Saturday. There was no immediate word on the cause of her death, but the authorities said there were no signs of foul play.
Ms. Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey. She begin singing at her New Jersey church’s junior gospel choir at age 11. She was quite a talented singer. In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most-awarded female act of all time.
She first came into the spotlight as a teen model (she had the looks and “girl next door” charm) and later an R&B music performer in the 80s. She began a career in acting in the 90s with films such as “The Bodyguard,” which was a box office hit. She has had quite a successful music and acting career.
In 1992, Ms. Houston married fellow R&B performer Bobby Brown. A year later the couple welcomed a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown, into the world. Her marriage to Bobby Brown was rocky due to his abusive behavior and her drug and alcohol abuse. The couple got a divorce in 2007.
Yesterday, Ms. Houston’s 18-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was rushed to the hospital following her previous hospitalization after her mother’s death because she passed out from alcohol and a sedative mix. The second time she was released hours later but her family and friends still fear for her mental health. She is obviously going through a difficult time with her mother’s passing.
Whitney Houston is now gone to the great beyond but her heart and soul will live on through her daughter and guide her through this devastating time. Her accomplishments will always be remembered; her music will still be heard and her movies still viewed.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston, Jersey Songbird, August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012.