How Whitney Houston Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Whitney Houston across different fields.

Whitney Houston, nicknamed "The Voice," was a highly acclaimed American singer, actress, producer, and philanthropist. Renowned for her exceptional vocal talent and captivating performances, she achieved remarkable chart success and broke down gender and racial barriers in the music industry. Houston remains a cultural icon, recognized as one of the most awarded performers and ranked among the greatest singers of all time.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1987: "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" Streams a Billion Times on Spotify

Whitney Houston's 1987 hit, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" streamed a billion times on Spotify in 2023.

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March 2000: Honored as Female Artist of the Decade

In March 2000, Whitney Houston received a special honor at the 14th Soul Train Music Awards, being named the female artist of the decade for her extraordinary artistic contributions during the 1990s.

September 11, 2001: Re-release of "The Star-Spangled Banner" after 9/11

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Whitney Houston's single, "The Star-Spangled Banner", was rereleased, with all profits going towards the firefighters and victims of the attacks, reaching number 6 in the Hot 100 and becoming certified platinum.

2001: Last Top-10 Single Prior to Death

After Whitney Houston's death, the single "I Will Always Love You" returned to the Billboard Hot 100 after almost 20 years, peaking at number three and becoming a posthumous top-10 single for Houston, the first one since 2001.

2007: Entrance into Music Industry Considered a Milestone

In 2007, USA Today considered Whitney Houston's entrance into the music industry one of the 25 musical milestones of the last 25 years, noting she paved the way for Mariah Carey.

2011: "Do You Hear What I Hear" Chart Appearance

Since 2011, Whitney Houston's recording of "Do You Hear What I Hear" from the 1987 Christmas compilation album, A Very Special Christmas, has appeared on the Billboard gospel charts.

February 18, 2012: Memorial Service

On February 18, 2012, Whitney Houston's memorial service was held at her home church, New Hope Baptist Church, in Newark, New Jersey.

May 2012: Release of "Celebrate"

In May 2012, Whitney Houston's last song, "Celebrate", from the movie "Sparkle", was released.

August 17, 2012: Release of "Sparkle" Movie

On August 17, 2012, the movie "Sparkle" was released, featuring "Celebrate", the last song Whitney Houston recorded.

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2012: Posthumous Gospel Chart Appearances

In 2012, two of Whitney Houston's final recordings - "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" and "Celebrate", from the film "Sparkle" - posthumously made the Billboard gospel charts.

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2013: Named Greatest Woman in Music by ABC

In 2013, ABC named Whitney Houston the greatest woman in music, acknowledging her profound influence.

2013: Inducted into New Jersey Hall of Fame

In 2013, Whitney Houston was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

2013: Cissy Houston's Book Release

In 2013, Whitney Houston's mother, Cissy Houston, released her book, "Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped".

Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped

Check it on Amazon

2014: Inducted into Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame

In 2014, Whitney Houston was inducted into the official Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in its second class.

2019: Crawford's Memoir Release

In 2019, Robyn Crawford, Whitney Houston's longtime executive assistant and friend, released her memoirs, "A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston", stating that she left Houston's management company after Houston declined to seek help for drug dependency.

A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston

Check it on Amazon

2019: Posthumous Release of "Higher Love" Remix

In 2019, a remix of Whitney Houston's bonus track "Higher Love" by Kygo was released posthumously, achieving commercial success, topping the US Dance Club Songs chart and becoming her highest-charting single in the UK since 1999.

2019: "Higher Love" Streams a Billion Times on Spotify

Whitney Houston's posthumous 2019 hit, "Higher Love" streamed a billion times on Spotify in 2024.

October 2020: "I Will Always Love You" Music Video Reaches 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.

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January 2021: "I Will Always Love You" Certified Diamond

In January 2021, "I Will Always Love You" was certified diamond, making Whitney Houston one of only four female artists to earn a diamond-certified single and album. It remains the best-selling US single by a female artist.

May 2023: Receives Brits Billion Award

In May 2023, Whitney Houston was one of the first of 13 artists to be given the Brits Billion Award by the BPI for reaching 1 billion career streams in the United Kingdom.

October 2023: Posthumous Earnings and Record

In October 2023, Whitney Houston made the list of the top 10 highest-earning posthumous celebrities on Forbes, earning $30 million, and she later won a posthumous Guinness World Records entry as the highest-earning posthumous female celebrity, her record 31st.

2023: Rolling Stone Ranks Houston Second Greatest Singer

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Whitney Houston second on their list of the greatest singers of all time, highlighting her powerful yet tender soprano voice and her defining 1990s single, a cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You."

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2023: Rolling Stone's Greatest Singers List

In 2023, Whitney Houston was ranked second on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest singers of all time, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential vocalists.