Mariah Carey's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Mariah Carey. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Mariah Carey is a highly acclaimed American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress, often referred to as the "Songbird Supreme." Celebrated for her exceptional five-octave vocal range, melismatic style, and distinctive whistle register, she has had a profound impact on the music industry. Her influence is undeniable, evidenced by Rolling Stone ranking her as the fifth-greatest singer of all time in 2023, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in music and pop culture.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1990: Rise to Fame with Debut Album

In 1990, Mariah Carey rose to fame with her eponymous debut album and became the only artist to have their first five singles reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

1991: Best-Selling Album in the United States

In 1991, Mariah Carey's debut album Mariah Carey was the best-selling album in the United States.

1993: International Success with Music Box

In 1993, Mariah Carey achieved international success with the best-selling album Music Box.

1995: International Success with Daydream

In 1995, Mariah Carey achieved international success with the best-selling album Daydream.

1996: Daydream World Tour and Top-Earning Female Musician

In early 1996, Mariah Carey embarked on the Daydream World Tour, and Forbes named her the top-earning female musician of 1996, with an estimated $32 million.

1997: First Number one album since Butterfly

The album The Emancipation of Mimi, released in 2005, became Mariah Carey's first number-one album and first since Butterfly (1997).

1999: Congressional Award

In 1999, Mariah Carey was presented with a Congressional Award for contributing to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and setting exceptional examples for young people through their own successes in life.

April 2001: Signing with Virgin Records

In April 2001, Mariah Carey signed an $80 million five-album recording contract with Virgin Records (EMI Records) after receiving Billboard's Artist of the Decade Award and the World Music Award for Best-Selling Pop Female Artist of the Millennium, effectively parting ways with Columbia Records.

September 25, 2005: Chart Records with We Belong Together and Shake It Off

During the week of September 25, 2005, Mariah Carey became the first woman to hold the top two spots on the Hot 100, with "We Belong Together" at number one and "Shake It Off" at number two.

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2005: Best-Selling Album of the Year

In 2005, "The Emancipation of Mimi" was the best-selling album in the United States, selling nearly five million units.

2005: Entertainment Weekly includes two remixes of "Fantasy" on a list of Carey's greatest recordings

In 2005, Entertainment Weekly included two remixes of Mariah Carey's song "Fantasy" on a list of her greatest recordings. One remix was produced by Morales and won a National Dance Music Award, and the other was produced by Sean Combs featuring rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard.

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2005: Comeback with The Emancipation of Mimi

In 2005, Mariah Carey made a comeback with The Emancipation of Mimi, one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century.

November 2006: Wish Idol Award from the Make-A-Wish Foundation

In November 2006, Mariah Carey was awarded the Make-A-Wish Foundation's Wish Idol for her extraordinary generosity and her many wish granting achievements.

2006: Grammy Nominations for The Emancipation of Mimi

In 2006, "The Emancipation of Mimi" earned eight Grammy Award nominations for Mariah Carey, marking the most nominations she had received in a single year.

2007: Additional Grammy Nominations

In 2007, "The Ultra Platinum Edition" of "The Emancipation of Mimi" received two additional Grammy nominations, adding to the album's accolades.

2007: Fragrance release and Elizabeth Arden deal

In 2007, Mariah Carey released her own fragrance, "M", after signing a licensing deal with Elizabeth Arden. This Elizabeth Arden deal has since earned her $150 million. She won a Basenotes Fragrance Award for Best Celebrity Women's Fragrance as well as being nominated in three other categories for the fragrance.

2008: Named Hunger Ambassador of the World Hunger Relief Movement

In 2008, Mariah Carey was named Hunger Ambassador of the World Hunger Relief Movement, recognizing her efforts to combat hunger.

2008: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2008, Time named Mariah Carey one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2015: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2015, Mariah Carey was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

October 2017: "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Achieves Milestone

By October 2017, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" had become the 11th best-selling single in history with over 16 million copies sold worldwide.

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2017: PETA's Angel for Animals Award

In 2017, Mariah Carey was awarded with PETA's Angel for Animals Award for promoting animal adoption through her animated movie All I Want for Christmas Is You.

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2017: Technical Issues Mar Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Performance

Mariah Carey's performance at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2017 was marred by technical issues, but she returned to the stage a year later and, according to Time, "effectively redeemed herself".

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April 2018: Public discussion of bipolar II disorder and treatment

In April 2018, Mariah Carey opened up about taking therapy sessions and medication for her struggle with bipolar II disorder, breaking her silence about her mental health.

2019: Billboard Icon Award

In 2019, Mariah Carey received a Billboard Icon Award.

2019: Variety's Power of Women honor

In 2019, Mariah Carey was honored by Variety's Power of Women for her work with The Fresh Air Fund's Camp Mariah.

2020: Billboard ranks Mariah Carey among greatest music video artists

In 2020, Billboard ranked Mariah Carey 73rd on its list of "The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time", recognizing her transformation over three decades from a breezy girl next door to a secret agent and more in her music videos.

2020: The Meaning of Mariah Carey Reached Number One

In 2020, Mariah Carey's memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, reached number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.

The Meaning of Mariah Carey

Check it on Amazon

2021: Honored by African American Film Critics Association

In 2021, Mariah Carey was honored at the African American Film Critics Association with a Special Achievement Innovator Award for her "visual storytelling in her music videos and specials".

December 17, 2023: Merry Christmas One and All! tour concludes

On December 17, 2023, Mariah Carey concluded her 16-date "Merry Christmas One and All!" concert tour in the United States. The tour grossed approximately $30 million and sold more than 200,000 tickets.

2023: BRIT Billion Award

In 2023, Mariah Carey became one of the first 13 recipients of the BRIT Billion Award, for surpassing one billion streams in the United Kingdom.

2023: Ranked Fifth-Greatest Singer by Rolling Stone

In 2023, Mariah Carey was ranked as the fifth-greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone.

September 26, 2025: Release of sixteenth studio album, Here for It All and "Play This Song" single

On September 26, 2025, Mariah Carey released her sixteenth studio album, "Here for It All", which debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200. The album was her first studio release through Gamma as part of a multi-album deal. Also on this day, the third single from the album, "Play This Song", assisted by Anderson .Paak, was released.

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