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 an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress, often referred to as the "Songbird Supreme." She is celebrated for her impressive five-octave vocal range, her melismatic style of singing, and her distinctive use of the whistle register. Carey is also recognized for her influential presence in popular culture. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked her as the fifth-greatest singer of all time, solidifying her status as a significant figure in music history.

Sections (5)

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

1991: Continued Chart Success

In 1991, Mariah Carey became the only artist to have their first five singles reach number one in the US, including the title track of her second album Emotions.

1991: Success of Debut Album

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

1993: Release of Music Box

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

1995: Release of 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 her first international concert series, the Daydream World Tour, and was named the top-earning female musician by Forbes, collecting an estimated $32 million.

1997: First number one album since Butterfly (1997)

In 2005, Mariah Carey's album 'The Emancipation of Mimi' became her fifth number-one album and the first since Butterfly in 1997.

1999: Presented with a Congressional Award

In 1999, Mariah Carey was presented with a Congressional Award for expanding opportunities for all Americans through personal contributions and setting exceptional examples for young people.

2002: Chart Information

During the week of September 25, 2005, Mariah Carey set another record, becoming the first woman to occupy the first two spots atop the Hot 100, as "We Belong Together" remained at number one, and her next single, "Shake It Off", moved into the number two spot (Ashanti had topped the chart in 2002 while being a featured singer on the number two single).

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September 25, 2005: Chart success week of September 25, 2005

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

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2005: Success of The Emancipation of Mimi in 2005

In 2005, "The Emancipation of Mimi" became the best-selling album in the United States, with nearly five million units sold. The IFPI reported that it had sold more than 7.7 million copies globally and was the second-best-selling album of the year after Coldplay's "X&Y". To support the album, Carey embarked on The Adventures of Mimi tour.

2005: Success of "We Belong Together"

In 2005, "We Belong Together" became a career-redefining song for Mariah Carey, revitalizing her career and receiving critical acclaim as a return to form. The song broke records in the United States and became her sixteenth chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later named Billboard's 'Song of the Decade'.

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2005: Release and Reception of The Emancipation of Mimi

In 2005, Mariah Carey released "The Emancipation of Mimi", produced with various artists. The album topped US charts, becoming her fifth number-one album, and was well-received by critics, marking a confident and urban sound.

2005: Comeback with The Emancipation of Mimi

In 2005, following a career decline, Mariah Carey made a comeback with The Emancipation of Mimi, her 21st-century bestseller.

November 2006: Awarded Wish Idol by Make-A-Wish Foundation

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

2006: Grammy Award Nominations for The Emancipation of Mimi

In 2006, "The Emancipation of Mimi" earned eight Grammy Award nominations, the most received by Carey in a single year. Carey won Best Contemporary R&B Album for The Emancipation of Mimi and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for "We Belong Together".

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2007: Grammy Awards for The Emancipation of Mimi

In 2007, "The Emancipation of Mimi" earned two Grammy Award nominations for the Ultra Platinum Edition, the most received by Carey in a single year. Carey won Best Contemporary R&B Album for The Emancipation of Mimi and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for "We Belong Together".

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2007: Reaching Number One with Touch My Body

In early 2007, Mariah Carey began working on her eleventh studio album, E=MC². Two weeks before the album's release, "Touch My Body", the record's lead single, reached the top position on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Carey's eighteenth number one and making her the solo artist with the most number one singles in history, pushing her past Elvis Presley according to the magazine's revised methodology.

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

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

2015: Received Star on 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" Sales 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: Awarded PETA's Angel for Animals Award

In 2017, Mariah Carey was awarded 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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2019: Received Billboard Icon Award

In 2019, Mariah Carey received a Billboard Icon Award.

2019: Honored by Variety's Power of Women

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

2020: Records broken by "Honey" topped until 2020

In 2020 it was noted that "Honey" became Carey's third number-one debut, a record held until 2020.

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2020: Ranked on Billboard's 'Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time'

In 2020, Billboard ranked Mariah Carey 73rd on its list of "The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time", noting her evolution in music videos over three decades.

2021: Honored at 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".

2023: Received 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 as Fifth-Greatest Singer by Rolling Stone

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

2025: Received BET Ultimate Icon Award

In 2025, Mariah Carey was honored with a BET Ultimate Icon Award.

2026: Named MusiCares Person of the Year

In 2026, Mariah Carey was named MusiCares Person of the Year for her work with The Fresh Air Fund's Camp Mariah and providing relief for communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic.