13 February 2012Last updated at 12:11

In pictures: Whitney Houston's life

US singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at the Beverley Hilton hotel in Los Angeles at the age of 48. The cause of her death is unknown.

The artist was one of the most celebrated female acts of all time, selling 170 million records worldwide and scoring 11 US and four UK number one hits.

Houston had a string of hits in the 80s and early 90s. But her later career was overshadowed by drug use and her turbulent marriage to singer Bobby Brown (right).

She began singing in church and was a model before being signed by Arista Records in 1983 by music producer Clive Davis (left).

At the height of her career in the 80s and 90s she enjoyed several hits, including I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Didn't We Almost Have It All.

She also won six Grammys, including three for best female pop vocal performance, 30 Billboard Awards and 22 American Music Awards.

Still of Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard

She was also seen in The Bodyguard with Kevin Costner (right). A musical version of the hit film opens in London's West End later this year.

She recorded Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You for The Bodyguard, a song that remains the best-selling single by a female artist of all time.

Houston's background was steeped in soul and gospel music. Her mother was gospel singer Cissy Houston and she was cousin to singer Dionne Warwick (left).

In recent years drug use took its toll on the star, and her famous voice was badly damaged.

Houston's death cast a long shadow over this year's Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles on Sunday.

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In pictures: Whitney Houston's life

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