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. Recognized as the "Songbird Supreme" for her exceptional five-octave vocal range, melismatic style, and whistle register, she holds a prominent place in music history. Carey's influence is considerable, demonstrated by Rolling Stone ranking her as the fifth greatest singer of all time in 2023. She remains a significant figure in contemporary music and pop culture.

Sections (5)

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

1990: Debut Album and Rise to Fame

In 1990, Mariah Carey rose to fame with her self-titled 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 US

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.

1995: Release and Critical Acclaim of Daydream

In 1995, Mariah Carey's fifth studio album, Daydream, was released, consolidating her creative control and receiving critical acclaim for its R&B and hip hop influences.

1996: First album by a solo female artist

In 2005, The Emancipation of Mimi was the first album by a solo female artist to become the year's best-selling album within the country since Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill in 1996.

1996: Daydream World Tour and Top-Earning Musician

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

1997: The Emancipation of Mimi First Since Butterfly

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

1999: Congressional Award Presentation

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

2002: Chart Records

During the week of September 25, 2005, 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).

September 25, 2005: Chart Records

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

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2005: "Fantasy" Remixes on Greatest Recordings List

In 2005, Entertainment Weekly included two remixes of "Fantasy" on a list of Mariah Carey's greatest recordings: a National Dance Music Award-winning remix produced by Morales, and a Sean Combs production featuring rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard.

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2005: Comeback with The Emancipation of Mimi

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

2005: The Emancipation of Mimi Release

In 2005, Mariah Carey released 'The Emancipation of Mimi', an album that topped the charts in the United States and was well-received by critics, marking a career resurgence.

2005: Best Selling Album

In 2005, The Emancipation of Mimi was the best-selling album in the United States, with nearly five million units sold. and the second-best-selling album of the year globally, having sold more than 7.7 million copies worldwide.

November 2006: Wish Idol Award

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 Awards

In 2006, The Emancipation of Mimi earned eight Grammy Award nominations and won Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song for "We Belong Together".

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2007: Release of "M" Fragrance

In 2007, Mariah Carey released her own fragrance, "M", as part of a licensing deal with Elizabeth Arden. The Elizabeth Arden deal has reportedly netted her $150 million. For the fragrance, Carey won a Basenotes Fragrance Award for Best Celebrity Women's Fragrance and was nominated in three other categories.

Mariah Carey M By Mariah Carey For Women, Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.3 Fl Oz

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2007: Grammy Awards

In 2007, The Emancipation of Mimi Ultra Platinum Edition earned two Grammy Award nominations.

January 2010: Breakthrough Actress Performance Award

In January 2010, Mariah Carey won the Breakthrough Actress Performance Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for her role in the movie Precious.

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2015: Honored with Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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

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.

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 at 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".

December 31, 2017: Return to Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve

On December 31, 2017, Mariah Carey returned to perform on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve after the technical difficulties that hindered her previous performance, in what The New York Times described as a "made-for-television act of pop culture redemption".

December 2018: Caution Featured on Year-End Lists

By December 2018, the album Caution by Mariah Carey had been featured on numerous year-end lists by music critics and publications.

2019: Received 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.

January 2020: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

In January 2020, it was announced that Mariah Carey would be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

2020: Billboard Ranks Carey on Music Video Artists List

In 2020, Billboard ranked Mariah Carey 73rd on its list of "The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time", stating that "over three decades, [Carey] has gone from breezy girl next door... to secret agent, runaway bride and even her own stalker in a collection of music videos that play like mini-dramas".

2021: Honored with Innovator Award

In 2021, Mariah Carey was honoured 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: End of Merry Christmas One and All! Tour

Mariah Carey's 16-date concert tour, Merry Christmas One and All!, which ran from November 15 to December 17, 2023, in the United States, concluded. The tour grossed approximately $30 million and sold more than 200,000 tickets.

2023: Recipient of BRIT Billion Award

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