Whitney Elizabeth Houston, 48, was the “Queen of Pop.” A singer, actress, producer and a former model, she’s the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. Houston is also one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums and singles worldwide.
Sunrise: August 9, 1963
Sunset: February 11, 2012
Cause of death: Drowning and the “effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use” In addition, the office stated the amount of cocaine found in Houston’s body indicates she used the substance shortly before her death. Toxicology results also revealed additional drugs in her system: Benadryl, Xanax, marijuana and Flexiril. The manner of death was listed as an “accident.”
