Whitney Houston, pop icon, dies at 48

Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown, has died, according to her publicist.

In this Nov. 22, 2009, file photo, Whitney Houston performs at the 37th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Houston died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, she was 48. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

AP

Singer Whitney Houston, a pop superstar who battled drug abuse, died at 48.

Whitney Houston, left, and Jermaine Jackson sang during this rehearsal for a soap opera

AP

Whitney Houston, left, and Jermaine Jackson sang during this rehearsal for a soap opera "As the World Turns" on July 25, 1984.

From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, Houston was one of the world's best-seeling artists, wowing audiences with her powerful voice.

AP

From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, Houston was one of the world's best-selling artists, wowing audiences with her powerful voice.

She influenced a generation of younger singers such as Mariah Carey, seen at left at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 10, 1998.

AP

She influenced a generation of younger singers such as Mariah Carey, seen at left at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 10, 1998.

In 1992, she married former New Edition member and Roxbury native Bobby Brown.

AP

In 1992, she married former New Edition member and Roxbury native Bobby Brown.

The union was portrayed as odd; she was seen as pop’s pure princess while he had a bad-boy image.

AP

The union was portrayed as odd; she was seen as pop’s pure princess while he had a bad-boy image.

Houston, here with music producer Clive Davis in 2006, had perhaps her most memorable hit with

AP

Houston, here with music producer Clive Davis in 2006, had one of her biggest hits with "I Will Always Love You," from the 1992 movie "The Bodyguard," in which she starred.

Despite her fame and success, Houston struggled with drug abuse. In a 2010 interview, she blamed her rocky marriage to Brown. They divorced in 2007.

REUTERS

Despite her fame and success, Houston struggled with drug abuse. In a 2010 interview, she blamed her rocky marriage to Brown. They divorced in 2007.

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Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, speaks to his supporters following his loss in the Maine caucus to Mitt Romney, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

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