Whitney Houston, considered one of the most talented singers of her time, had great success, but also terrible drama and a tragic ending. Violent spouse, descent into drug hell, financial problems are part of it. In his biography written by journalist Mark Bego, we understand that behind his glamorous life in the limelight, dramas multiplied until his tragic death.
The world-renowned singer, who has multiplied the successes, has everything it takes to be happy, they said to themselves. The one we called The Voice, known for global hits like I Wanna Dance with Somebody and I Will Always Love You, has found itself topping charts around the world.
Born in New Jersey in 1963 into a family of musicians, Whitney Houston wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother, who sang in the gospel choir at the Baptist Church in her Newark neighborhood. The child’s extraordinary singing talent was recognized very early, from the age of 11, when she undertook her first solo singing tour.
It is producer Clive Davis who sees all her potential and exceptional talent in her and will focus on the child to make her an international star.
In 1985 his first album sold 25 million copies worldwide. Another highlight is his role in the film “The Bodyguard” opposite Kevin Costner, which will be decisive for his career. Not only was the film a success, grossing over $400 million at the box office, but the soundtrack that she performed has sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Yes, Whitney had everything it took to be successful.
We will see her on various occasions alongside Celine Dion, Cher, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and many other big names in the song.
A tragic end
Whitney’s troubles began most notably after marrying Bobby Brown, an alcoholic, drug addict and violent rapper. She, too, fell into the world of drugs. Worse, she no longer kept her professional commitments and her voice gradually faded until the magic of the beginnings wore off.
The international diva who has sold 170 million albums has even grown into an aggressive person who still struggles with a drug addiction. She is even arrested at the Hawaii airport for possession of marijuana. Doom is near.
Then came a time when his voice snapped mid-show. Things just got worse for her and the critics didn’t do her any favors.
Faced with failure, she decides to separate from her husband after 14 years together in hopes of a return to the stage. But his last world tour will be a terrible failure. She suffered from a vocal cord infection and had to cancel many shows.
In addition, the singer, who had earned tens of millions of dollars, is ruined and faces bankruptcy. His Atlanta residence is being seized by the US IRS for unpaid debts.
Her physical and mental health becomes weak and she also becomes dependent on medication.
In February 2012, Whitney Houston was found dead in her bathtub in a suite at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills at the age of 48. Drugs were found near her. That night, she was scheduled to attend a party in his honor the day before the Grammy Awards ceremony.
The official version says that Whitney Houston drowned due to cardiovascular disease. The cocaine and alcohol consumed the day before his death could also be the cause of death. But doubts remain.
The mysterious death of his daughter
Unbelievable as it may seem, his only daughter, Bobbi Kristina, also met a tragic end. She died in her bathroom three years later, as did her mother in 2015.
Some will even draw parallels between two suspicious deaths that ended the same way, and point the finger at a culprit. In particular, the singer’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown, believes that her daughter’s ex-fiancé, Nick Gordon, would be responsible for the deaths of Whitney and her daughter Bobbi Kristina, both of whom died the same way in a bathtub. Nick Gordon would have made a multi-substance cocktail. The young girl would have drunk a poisonous cocktail that would have rendered her unconscious. Nick Gordon then plunged his head into a tub of cold water. The young woman was in a coma for six months before she died at the age of 22.
What if his death Whitney’s death hadn’t been an accident, any more than his daughter’s? We’re still wondering.
Whitney Houston
A fabulous and tragic life
Markus Bego
The editors together
331 pages
Screenshot The United Publishers
Mark Bego’s book Whitney Houston: A Fabulous and Tragic Life.
American author and journalist Mark Bego has published around sixty works on the world of music, including biographies of Cher, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Elton John and Aretha Franklin.