Career Timeline of Whitney Houston: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Whitney Houston made an impact.
Whitney Houston, an iconic American singer, actress, and producer, nicknamed "the Voice," is celebrated as one of the most awarded artists ever. Her success transcended genres, breaking down racial and gender barriers in pop culture. Renowned for her exceptional vocal talent and captivating live performances, she was recognized as one of the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone in 2023. Houston's influence on music and entertainment remains profound.
1980: Fashion Modeling Career Begins
In 1980, Whitney Houston began her career as a fashion model.
September 1981: Signed with Tara Productions
In September 1981, Whitney Houston signed with Tara Productions and hired Gene Harvey as her manager, following the advice of her cousin Dionne Warwick.
1982: Featured Vocalist on "Memories"
In 1982, Whitney Houston was featured as the lead vocalist on the song "Memories" by the band Material on their album One Down.
April 10, 1983: Signs Record Deal with Arista Records
On April 10, 1983, Whitney Houston signed a worldwide record deal with Arista Records, after being discovered by Gerry Griffith and impressed by Clive Davis.
June 1983: National Audience Introduction
In June 1983, Whitney Houston was introduced to a national audience, performing the song "Home" from the Broadway musical The Wiz on The Merv Griffin Show.
1983: Debut on The Merv Griffin Show
In 1983, Whitney Houston debuted on The Merv Griffin Show, a rare live performance included in a later DVD release of her greatest hits.
May 1984: Release of "Hold Me" duet
In May 1984, Whitney Houston's duet with Teddy Pendergrass, "Hold Me", was released on Pendergrass' album, Love Language, giving Houston her first taste of success by becoming a top-10 hit on the R&B and adult contemporary charts.
1984: Collaboration with Teddy Pendergrass
In 1984, Whitney Houston had a hit song with Teddy Pendergrass, prompting Clive Davis to defend Houston's eligibility for the Best New Artist Grammy in 1986.
February 14, 1985: Release of "Whitney Houston" Album
On February 14, 1985, Whitney Houston's debut album, "Whitney Houston", was released.
March 30, 1985: "Whitney Houston" debuts on Billboard 200
On March 30, 1985, "Whitney Houston" debuted at number 166 on the Billboard 200.
October 1985: Opening at Carnegie Hall
In October 1985, Whitney Houston opened at Carnegie Hall.
December 1985: MTV Acceptance of "How Will I Know" Video
In December 1985, the music video to Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know" was accepted by MTV and went into heavy rotation.
1985: Early Career
In 1985, Whitney Houston began achieving renown with her first three solo albums and one soundtrack, released from 1985 to 1992. She hybridized pop music, distinguishing herself from contemporaries like Michael Jackson and Madonna by prioritizing her voice over production.
1985: Billboard Number One awards
In 1985, Whitney Houston won 14 Billboard Number One awards, with the album earning Top Pop Album honors.
1985: Release of "Whitney Houston" album
In 1985, Whitney Houston's first studio album, "Whitney Houston", was released, reaching number one on the Billboard 200.
March 1986: "Whitney Houston" reaches Number One
In March 1986, Whitney Houston's debut album, "Whitney Houston" reached number one on the Billboard 200, starting a 14-week run.
July 1986: The Greatest Love World Tour Begins
In July 1986, Whitney Houston embarked on her first world tour, The Greatest Love World Tour.
1986: "How Will I Know" Performance at MTV VMAs
In 1986, Whitney Houston performed "How Will I Know" at the MTV VMAs.
1986: Grammy and American Music Awards Wins
In 1986, Whitney Houston won her first Grammy Award for "Saving All My Love for You" and two American Music Awards, including Favorite Soul/R&B Song for "You Give Good Love". She also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist.
1986: Duet with Jermaine Jackson Released
In 1986, Whitney Houston's duet with Jermaine Jackson, "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful", was released on his 'Precious Moments' album.
June 1987: Release of "Whitney" Album
In June 1987, Whitney Houston's second album, "Whitney", was released, making her the first woman in music history to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
July 1987: The Moment of Truth World Tour
In July 1987, Whitney Houston launched her second world tour, the Moment of Truth World Tour.
1987: American Music Awards Wins
In 1987, Whitney Houston received five American Music Awards, including American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist.
1987: "Whitney" Album Release
In 1987, Whitney Houston released her second album, Whitney.
1987: Release of "Whitney" album
In 1987, Whitney Houston's second album, "Whitney", was released, also reaching number one on the Billboard 200.
1987: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Release
Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" was released in 1987.
June 11, 1988: Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert
On June 11, 1988, Whitney Houston participated in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in London, supporting Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement. The event reached over half a billion viewers and raised $1 million for charities, increasing awareness about apartheid.
1988: Concert for the United Negro College Fund
At a 1988 Madison Square Garden concert, Whitney Houston earned more than $250,000 for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), demonstrating her commitment to supporting education.
1988: Ranked 17th on Forbes 40
In 1988, Whitney Houston ranked 17th on Forbes magazine's Forbes 40 list.
1988: Freedomfest Performance
Whitney Houston's participation at the 1988 Freedomfest performance in London (for a then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela) grabbed the attention of other musicians and the media.
January 1989: The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children Formation
In January 1989, Whitney Houston established The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding children globally. The organization, now known as the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, addresses issues such as homelessness, childhood cancer, AIDS, and self-empowerment.
1989: Whitney Houston Foundation for Children Established
In 1989, Whitney Houston established the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, which offered medical assistance to sick and homeless children, fought to prevent child abuse, and supported educational initiatives.
November 1990: Release of 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' album
In November 1990, Whitney Houston released her third studio album, 'I'm Your Baby Tonight.' It was the first album where she served as executive producer and exerted creative control. The album took a more urban direction and featured mostly black producers.
1990: Arista Records' 15th Anniversary Gala
In 1990, Whitney Houston participated in Arista Records' 15th anniversary gala, which was an AIDS benefit, where she sang "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", "Greatest Love of All" and, with cousin Dionne Warwick, "That's What Friends Are For".
1990: Release of "I'm Your Baby Tonight" album
In 1990, Whitney Houston took a more urban turn with her third studio album, "I'm Your Baby Tonight".
January 27, 1991: Super Bowl XXV Performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
On January 27, 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, Whitney Houston performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV. Although her vocals were pre-recorded, the performance was a hit and reached the Top 20, making it the biggest chart hit for a national anthem performance.
September 1991: Reach Out & Touch Someone AIDS vigil
In September 1991, Whitney Houston participated in the Reach Out & Touch Someone AIDS vigil in London, stressing the importance of AIDS research and addressing HIV stigma.
1991: Super Bowl Performance Donation
In 1991, Whitney Houston donated all of the earnings from her Super Bowl XXV performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" sales to Gulf War servicemen and their families. The record label followed suit and she was voted to the American Red Cross Board of Directors as a result.
1991: Welcome Home Heroes Concert and World Tour
In 1991, Whitney Houston hosted the Welcome Home Heroes concert for soldiers returning from the Persian Gulf War and their families. She also embarked on her third world tour, the I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour, which included a 10-date sold-out residency at Wembley Arena in London.
1991: "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl
In 1991, Whitney Houston performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl.
1991: Super Bowl XXV Performance
In 1991, Whitney Houston performed an acclaimed rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXV.
1991: 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' Album Success
In 1991, Whitney Houston's album 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' achieved significant success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 and topping the Top R&B Albums chart for eight weeks. It became the best-selling R&B album of the year and spawned multiple number-one singles, earning Houston Grammy nominations and Billboard awards.
1992: The Bodyguard Soundtrack Million-Selling Week
During Christmas week of 1992, 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack sold over a million copies within a week, making it the first album in music history to achieve that feat under the Nielsen SoundScan system.
1992: Peak Career
From 1985 to 1992, Whitney Houston achieved most of her renown on the strength of her first three solo albums and one soundtrack. By 1992, she was one of the crucial figures to hybridize pop.
1992: Whitney Houston's Film Debut in 'The Bodyguard'
In 1992, Whitney Houston made her acting debut in the film 'The Bodyguard,' where she played a star who hires a bodyguard to protect her from a stalker.
1992: "I Will Always Love You" Release
In 1992, Whitney Houston released "I Will Always Love You".
1992: The Bodyguard Soundtrack Release
In 1992, the soundtrack from Whitney Houston's film debut, "The Bodyguard", was released. It later won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and became the best-selling soundtrack album of all time.
January 1993: "I Will Always Love You" Sales Milestone
In January 1993, Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" became the first single by a solo artist in US history to sell four million copies, later being certified 4x platinum by the RIAA and becoming the best-selling single in US history.
March 13, 1993: Triple Top 11 Hit
On the week of March 13, 1993, Whitney Houston became the first solo artist in history to ever have three singles in the top 11 on the Hot 100 simultaneously.
June 10, 1993: Whitney Houston on Rolling Stone Cover
On June 10, 1993, Whitney Houston appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, marking a significant moment in her career and public image.
July 20, 1993: Radio City Music Hall Concert
On July 20, 1993, Whitney Houston held a concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York. She was praised for her performance.
November 3, 1993: "The Bodyguard" Diamond Certification
On November 3, 1993, Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard became the first album by a female artist to be certified 10 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, which also made it the first album by a female artist to be certified Diamond.
November 1993: First Female Artist to Go Diamond
In November 1993, Whitney Houston became the first female artist to go diamond with an album after her soundtrack to The Bodyguard went ten-time platinum.
1993: Forbes Ranking as Third Highest-Earning Female Entertainer
In 1993, Whitney Houston ranked as the third highest-earning female entertainer, according to Forbes, due to her concerts, movie, and recording grosses.
1993: Mixed Reviews and Accolades for Whitney Houston's Role in "The Bodyguard"
In 1993, Whitney Houston received mixed reviews for her acting in "The Bodyguard," with some critics finding her performance lacking. However, she also earned several favorable acting nominations, including at the NAACP Image Awards and MTV Movie Awards.
1993: American Music Awards Record
In 1993, Whitney Houston set a Guinness World Record at the time for being the first artist to win more than 11 awards in one night at the American Music Awards.
1993: Initial offer for 'Cinderella' role
In 1993, Whitney Houston was originally offered the role of Cinderella, but other projects intervened.
January 1994: First Female Artist with Two Diamond Albums
In January 1994, Whitney Houston's debut album, Whitney Houston, became the first studio album by a woman to be certified ten-time platinum, making her the first female artist to receive two diamond albums.
1994: World Music Awards Record
In 1994, Whitney Houston continued to hold the record for the most World Music Awards won in a single year, securing five trophies at the sixth annual ceremony.
1994: Grammy Win for Album of the Year for "The Bodyguard" soundtrack
In 1994, Whitney Houston won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for "The Bodyguard" soundtrack, making her just the second black female artist to win in the category.
1994: Grammy Win for Record of the Year
In 1994, Whitney Houston won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year for "I Will Always Love You." She also won a second Grammy in the best female pop vocal category, solidifying the song's and album's success.
1995: Starring in Waiting to Exhale
In 1995, Whitney Houston starred in the film "Waiting to Exhale".
January 1996: 'Waiting to Exhale' Soundtrack Reached #1
In January 1996, the 'Waiting to Exhale' soundtrack, featuring songs co-written and performed by Whitney Houston, reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
1996: Starred in 'The Preacher's Wife'
In 1996, Whitney Houston starred in 'The Preacher's Wife' alongside Denzel Washington, earning $10 million for the role and receiving positive reviews.
1997: Co-producing Cinderella
In 1997, Whitney Houston co-produced "Cinderella".
1997: American Music Awards for 'Waiting to Exhale' Soundtrack
In 1997, Whitney Houston won two American Music Awards for the 'Waiting to Exhale' soundtrack, including Top Soundtrack and Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist.
1997: BrownHouse Productions and 'Cinderella'
In 1997, Whitney Houston's production company became BrownHouse Productions, and they produced a remake of 'Cinderella,' starring Houston as the Fairy Godmother. The film achieved high TV ratings.
February 1998: Quincy Jones Award
In February 1998, Whitney Houston received the Quincy Jones Award for outstanding career achievements in the field of entertainment at the 12th Soul Train Music Awards.
November 17, 1998: Release of 'My Love Is Your Love' album
On November 17, 1998, Whitney Houston released her album 'My Love Is Your Love', which featured production from Rodney Jerkins, Wyclef Jean and Missy Elliott, and was led by the duet "When You Believe" with Mariah Carey.
1998: Dove Awards for Gospel Album
In 1998, Whitney Houston received two Dove Awards for her gospel album, including Best Traditional Gospel Recorded Song for "I Go to the Rock".
1998: Release of "My Love Is Your Love" album
In 1998, Whitney Houston's first studio album in eight years, "My Love Is Your Love", was released, achieving critical and commercial success.
June 1999: Performance at NYC Lesbian & Gay Pride Dance
In June 1999, during her tour to promote the My Love Is Your Love album, Whitney Houston gave a surprise performance at the 13th Annual New York City Lesbian & Gay Pride Dance, titled Dance 13: The Last Dance of the Century. She said, "we're all God's children, honey".
August 1999: 'My Love Is Your Love' topped the European chart
In August 1999, the album 'My Love Is Your Love' topped the European Top 100 Albums chart, marking a significant achievement in Whitney Houston's international career.
November 1999: RIAA Century Award
In November 1999, Whitney Houston was named the top-selling R&B female artist of the century by the Recording Industry Association of America.
1999: Best-Selling Female R&B Artist of the 20th Century
In 1999, Whitney Houston was certified as the best-selling female R&B artist of the 20th century by the RIAA.
1999: Highest Charting Single since 1999
In 2019, the posthumous release of the remixed single "Higher Love" became Whitney Houston's highest-charting single in the UK since 1999.
February 2000: Grammy Award for "It's Not Right but It's Okay"
In February 2000, Whitney Houston won her sixth and final competitive Grammy for "It's Not Right but It's Okay" in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category.
March 2000: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Academy Awards Incident
In March 2000, Whitney Houston failed to show up to induct Clive Davis into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was fired from performing at the Academy Awards due to erratic behavior, though she did perform at Arista's 25th-anniversary celebration.
May 2000: Release of 'Whitney: The Greatest Hits'
In May 2000, Whitney Houston released 'Whitney: The Greatest Hits', a double-disc compilation featuring remixes and new songs, reaching number one in the United Kingdom.
August 2001: Record Deal
In August 2001, Whitney Houston signed a $100 million contract with Arista/BMG to release six new albums, earning royalties on top of it.
September 11, 2001: Re-release of "The Star-Spangled Banner" after 9/11
Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Whitney Houston's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was rereleased, with all profits going towards the firefighters and victims of the attacks. It reached number 6 in the Hot 100 and was certified platinum.
September 2001: Michael Jackson Anniversary Performance and 9/11 Re-Release
In September 2001, a performance at Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary Special led to rumors of drug use due to Houston's thin appearance. Also in September 2001, her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was re-released after the September 11 attacks, with proceeds donated to relief funds.
October 2001: Re-release of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Following the terrorist attacks in 2001, Whitney Houston re-released "The Star-Spangled Banner" to support the New York Firefighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police. She waived her royalty rights to the song, which reached number one on charts in October 2001 and generated more than $1 million.
2001: BET Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2001, Whitney Houston became the first artist to receive the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, marking a significant milestone in her career.
2001: Co-producing The Princess Diaries
In 2001, Whitney Houston co-produced "The Princess Diaries".
2001: Renewal of contract with Arista Records
In 2001, Whitney Houston renewed her contract with Arista Records for $100 million, marking one of the largest recording deals of all time.
December 2002: "Just Whitney" Album Release
In December 2002, Whitney Houston released her fifth studio album, "Just Whitney", which debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum.
2002: Release of "Just Whitney" album
In 2002, Whitney Houston's album, "Just Whitney", was released but received mixed reviews, and her drug use and tumultuous marriage began to overshadow her music career.
August 2003: "The Cheetah Girls" Premiere
In August 2003, "The Cheetah Girls", Whitney Houston's second television film as a producer, premiered on the Disney Channel. The soundtrack was also executive produced by Houston.
2003: Co-producing The Cheetah Girls
In 2003, Whitney Houston co-produced "The Cheetah Girls".
April 2004: "The Princess Diaries 2" Success
In April 2004, "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement", Whitney Houston's second film as producer, was released and earned $134 million in the box office.
2004: Billboard's Musical Milestones
In 2004, Billboard picked the success of Whitney Houston's first release on the charts as one of 110 Musical Milestones in its history.
2006: "The Cheetah Girls 2" Airs
In 2006, Whitney Houston served as executive producer for "The Cheetah Girls 2", which became one of the highest-rated Disney Channel Original Movies.
August 2009: "I Look To You" Album Release
In August 2009, Whitney Houston released her album "I Look to You", which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 305,000 copies sold.
2009: Release of "I Look to You" album
In 2009, after divorcing Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston returned to the top of the Billboard 200 with her final album, "I Look to You".
January 2010: NAACP Image Award and BET Honors
In January 2010, Whitney Houston was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards, winning Best Music Video for "I Look to You", and received the Entertainers Award at the BET Honors.
May 2012: "Celebrate" Premieres
In May 2012, Whitney Houston's last song recorded, "Celebrate" premiered.
August 17, 2012: "Sparkle" Release
On August 17, 2012, the movie "Sparkle" was released, which featured "Celebrate", the last song Whitney Houston recorded.
2012: Co-producing Sparkle
In 2012, Whitney Houston co-produced "Sparkle".
October 2020: Third Diamond-Certified Album
In October 2020, Whitney Houston became the first black recording artist in history to have three diamond-certified albums when her sophomore album, Whitney (1987), was certified diamond.
October 2020: "I Will Always Love You" Surpasses 1 Billion Views
In October 2020, the music video for "I Will Always Love You" surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, making Whitney Houston the first solo 20th-century artist to have a video reach that milestone.
July 2023: Billion Streams for "I Wanna Dance with Somebody"
In July 2023, Whitney Houston became the first solo artist who debuted in the 1980s to have a song streamed more than a billion times after her 1987 hit, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", reached that feat.
2025: Record of Consecutive Number One Hits
As of 2025, Whitney Houston remains the only artist to score seven consecutive number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
2025: Best-Selling Artists in the United States
As of 2025, Whitney Houston was ranked as one of the best-selling artists in the United States by the RIAA, with 61 million certified albums.
