WHITNEY HOUSTON DIED AT 48!

American singer and actress Whitney Houston has died in Los Angeles at the age of 48.

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

Houston was regarded as one of the most celebrated female singers of all time, with hits including I Will Always Love You and Saving All My Love For You.

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

"At 3:55 pm Whitney Houston was pronounced dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel," police spokesman Mark Rosen told reporters.

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.

Arists from Mariah Carey to Christina Aguilera have tried to emulate her bravura performances, but none of them were as good as the original, music critic Paul Gambaccini told the BBC.

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.

"The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy,'' Houston told ABC's Diane Sawyer in a 2002 interview.

Correspondents say Houston's death will undoubtedly overshadow the music industry's Grammy Awards, due to be held in Los Angeles on Sunday.

SOURCE