Houston was inspired by the many soul singers in her family. She became one of the most celebrated female singers of all time, taking multiple Emmy, Grammy and Billboard Music awards. Now we take a retrospective look at her showbiz career.

Famous U.S. singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at age 48, media outlets reported Saturday.[Xinhua]

One of the most celebrated female singers of all time.

Whitney Houston's hits include I Will Always Love You and Saving All My Love For You.

She was the most awarded female act of all time, with a total of 415 awards. She reached the peak of her career in the 1980s and 1990s, and sold more than 170 million albums and singles.

But her later career was overshadowed by substance abuse and her turbulent marriage to singer Bobby Brown.

They divorced in 2007, amid allegations of domestic abuse.

Famous U.S. singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at age 48, media outlets reported Saturday.[Xinhua]

In recent years drug use took its toll and the voice-once acnowledged as one of the finest in pop music- was badly damaged.

Houston's background was steeped in soul and gospel music.

Her mother was gospel singer Cissy Houston and she was cousin to singer Dionne Warwick.

She began singing in church in New Jersey, and then in the night clubs of New York, and was a model before being signed by Arista Records.