American singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48, her publicist Kristen Foster has said
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In pictures: Whitney Houston dies
American singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48.

A spokesman for Houston's family confirmed the news, telling Reuters: "Unfortunately, it is true."

The cause and the location of her death were unclear, Houston's publicist Kristen Foster told the AP news agency.

Regarded as one of the most celebrated female acts of all time, Houston's later career was overshadowed by substance abuse and her turbulent marriage to singer Bobby Brown.

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, and goddaughter to Aretha Franklin.

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

At the height of her career in the 1980s and 90s she won many awards and enjoyed several number one singles and albums.

Houston also enjoyed success acting in films such as The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale.

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




http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-17001548