Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Whitney Houston Has Died At Age 48
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 11, 2012
Modified Feb 11, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 11, 2012
Modified Feb 11, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Houston in 1987 (via LIFE)
Whitney Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, has confirmed that the singer died today at the age of 48, though it's unclear what the cause of death was, or where she was when she died. Most recently, rumors spread that Houston was broke and would be homeless if it weren't for her friends, though her rep denied it.
Houston was discovered in a New York City nightclub, singing alongside her mother Cissy Houston, in the early 1980s. Sadly, by the end of her life her voice had become ravaged from years of drug use.
UPDATE:TMZ reports that Houston died at the Beverly Hilton hotel, and a police crime lab vehicle was photographed outside "moments ago." CNN reports that she was supposed to attend a pre-Grammys party tonight hosted by Clive Davis, who discovered her. A police spokesman says that she was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) despite resuscitation efforts, and that her bodyguard found her body (though earlier reports said that Ray-J, who she had been dating, found her).
Here's Houston singing at a celebration for the Statue of Liberty in 1986:
And another early hit, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," which she got a Grammy for:
Her isolated vocal track from "How Will I Know" is worth listening to, which you can do right here. Houston is survived by her daughter (with former husband Bobby Brown) Bobbi Kristina Brown.
Here is Houston's final public performance, which took place at a party on Thursday night:
The Apollo has now put up a tribute to Houston on their marquee:
via Twitter
Tagged
dead
death
RIP
Whitney Houston
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
October is spooky season at the movies in New York City
Horror fans, get ready to be horrified.
By
Emma Stefansky
Published Oct 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
At the Museum at FIT, an argument for dolls as the ultimate fashion influencers
There’s a lot to think about in the doll-verse.
By
Quinn Moreland
Arts & Entertainment
At the Museum at FIT, an argument for dolls as the ultimate fashion influencers
There’s a lot to think about in the doll-verse.
By
Quinn Moreland
Immanuel Wilkins is upholding NYC's jazz history. He's also dreaming up its future.
By
Sonia Rao
Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.
By
Sonia Rao
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .