Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, film producer, and philanthropist. Known as "
the Voice", she is one of the most awarded entertainers and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 220 million records worldwide. Houston’s crossover appeal on the popular music charts and her performances influenced the breaking down of gender and racial barriers, as well as popular culture. Known for her vocal delivery and distinctive timbre, Houston was ranked second by
Rolling Stone on its list of the greatest singers of all time. Her life and career have been the subject of multiple documentaries and television specials.