Photos: Whitney Houston, 1963-2012

Early days

Houston belts out a song in 1986. Even before she became known as a singer, Houston gained fame as a model, and perennial Seventeen Magazine cover girl. She was one of the first women of color to make the teen magazine's cover.

Houston performing in 1988.

With Mariah

Houston and Mariah Carey recorded "When You Believe" as a duet in 1988. When Carey first became popular, she sounded so similar to Houston that many thought Carey's songs were actually Houston singing.

Stunning anthem

Houston's performance of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl is thought by some to be one of the best versions of the song ever sung. It was released as a single and reached the Top 20.

'The Bodyguard'

In the 1992 film "The Bodyguard," Kevin Costner plays a bodyguard hired to protect Houston's character, a singer, from an unknown stalker.

Love is in the air

Houston was honored at the 1994 Grammys, winning record of the year for "I Will Always Love You" and album of the year for the soundtrack from her movie "The Bodyguard." She is shown with producer David Foster, who shared the honors with her.  

Moving on to movies

Houston also starred in numerous movies, including 1996's "The Preacher's Wife."

And baby makes three

Houston and Brown are seen with daughter Bobbi Kristina, then 6, in 1998.

In court

Houston and Brown are seen in a Georgia court in 2002. He had been arrested on an outstanding bench warrant for a 1996 DUI.

Pretty in pink

Houston holds her Grammy award for Best Female Rythm and Blues Vocal Performance for "It's Not Right But It's Okay" at the 2000 Grammy Awards.

Divas forever

Houston and Mary J. Blige perform on the "VH1 Divas Las Vegas" concert in 2002.

Dynamic duo

Brown and Houston perform during the "VH1 Divas" duets show in Las Vegas in 2003. They wed in 1992, and she gave birth to daughter Bobbi Kristina a year later. The couple divorced in 2007.

In Israel

Husband Bobby Brown and Houston toured Israel in 2003. Here, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon welcomes them to his residence.

Ladies of music

Dionne Warwick, Houston and Natalie Cole perform together during a tour in Germany in 2009, the first time the three had ever sung together.

On stage

Houston speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in 2009. Six Grammys were among her lifetime total of more than 400 musical honors.

We are family

Houston, cousin Dionne Warwick and Houston's teenage daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, arrive at the 2011 Pre-Grammy Gala in 2011.

London calling

Houston performs at the O2 Arena in London on April 25, 2010.

Grammy gold

Producer Clive Davis and Houston appear onstage at the 2011 Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute To Industry Icons Honoring David Geffen at the Beverly Hilton on Feb. 12, 2011, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Nearly one year later almost to the day, Houston would be found dead at the same hotel.

A life in the spotlight

Whitney Houston, seen here at the 2009 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, has died at age 48 after an acclaimed career and a life that kept her in tabloid headlines. Stardom was in Houston's family -- mom Cissy Houston is a Grammy-winning singer, Dionne Warwick is her cousin, and Aretha Franklin was her godmother.