Singer Whitney Houston dies at 48 (Video: a look back)

Whitney Houston has died at 48. The singer known as the one who had "the greatest voice" was born Aug. 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, and died on Feb. 11, 2012, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

She was found by her bodyguard in the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Paramedics were called and tried to resuscitate her, but it was not to be. Police Lt. Mark Rosen of Beverly Hills, said that Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. in her fourth floor room. Investigators left her body in the room as they examined the scene, and taken to the coroner's office 11 hours after she was found in the tub.

Her death comes on the eve of the Grammy awards where she once reigned as queen. Surely this will be a sad event with many of her friends still in shock. Plans are to have a tribute to her -- those responsible for the event are scrambling to make last-minute changes to honor her.

The Recording Academy released the following statement on Saturday evening:

Six-time GRAMMY winner Whitney Houston was one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades. Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice.

Houston was a rare talent who could sing, act and produce. She earned six Grammy awards, took home two Emmy awards, and won 30 Billboard Music Awards throughout her amazing career.

Whitney Houston's music drew fans from many demographics due to her pop flavor that appealed to a diversity of music lovers.

Her heyday peaked in the mid 1980s to the late 1990s. She was one of the best-selling artists -- many around the world owned Whitney Houston's music.

"I Will Always Love You," is one of the songs most people associate with Whitney Houston.

Ms. Houston was not only known for her singing, but she also made her mark in Hollywood when she starred in movies. Her best known were "Waiting to Exhale" and "The Bodyguard."

Her singing abilities suffered greatly in her last years by drugs and alcohol, although she was transparent about her addictions.

She tried to come back in 2009, but her voice sounded different, not the polished, strong, effortless vocals associated with Whitney Houston.

Rumors swirled around that her failure to make a come back was due to drug use.

Houston exposed her drug abuse in a safe place, The Oprah Winfrey show. It was a 2009, a two-part series where she talked candidly to the queen of daytime TV about her weak area.

Red flags went up when she referred to her ex-husband Bobby Brown as “her drug,” making it clear she “didn’t do anything without him.”

Her husband, at the time, may have been her drug of choice, but their substance of choice together, she admitted, was marijuana laced with cocaine. They kept a stash of ounces available at all times, she confessed to the world.

In 1992, R&B singer Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston were married, but then divorced in 2007 -- they had one child together in 1993, Bobbi Kristina Brown. In 2005, they carried their own reality show, Being Bobby Brown. She had been currently dating RayJ

Whitney Houston joins a large group of singers who died young, such as: the King of Rock, Elvis Presley -- the King of pop, Michael Jackson -- Nirvana's Kurt Cobain -- The Doors' Jim Morrison -- legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix -- 60's singer Janis Joplin, and Amy Winehouse.

Popular Tweets:

1stChurchOfTwit: Heaven wanted a new lead singer. Rest peacefully angel Whitney Houston. Thank you for your music, grace, beauty, and love.

Usher @UsherRaymondIV R.I.P Whitney Houston... A true icon of our time. Gone too soon. My heart goes out to the family in their time of distress. URIV

Mariah Carey @MariahCarey Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.

Aretha Franklin @ArethaFranklin I just can’t talk about it now. It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen. My heart goes out to Cissy, her daughter Bobbi Kris, her family and Bobby.

Jennifer Lopez @JLo Such a loss. One of the greatest voices of our time. Sending out prayers to her family...

Sources:

Rolling Stone

ABC News

CBS News

CNN News