Warwick's first hit came in 1963

She was later charged with possession of less than five grams of marijuana and then released after signing an affidavit promising to appear in court, the Associated Press reported.

Ms Warwick, known for a series of 1960s pop hits including Walk On By, is the sister of another singer, Dee Dee Warwick and the cousin of Whitney Houston.

In 1999 the star was robbed of $50,000 worth of possessions in a raid by robbers at her home in Rio de Janeiro.

Grammys

Her first US hit came in 1963 with Don't Make Me Over, followed a year later by her first UK hit, Anyone Who Had A Heart.

Her work with the songwriting partnership Hal David and Burt Bacharach produced more than 30 US hits between 1962 and 1972.

She has won five Grammys during her career and in 1968 became the first black female performer to perform in front of Queen Elizabeth II in London.

Ms Warwick served as a US Ambassador for Health during the 1980s and has been active in leading music industry support for AIDS charities.