Began singing at age 11 in her mother's choir (date approximate)

Worked as a background vocalist for singers including Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls beginning at age 15 (date approximate)

Appeared on the cover of several magazines at age 18; also sang a duet with Teddy Pendergrass, "Hold Me" (date approximate)

Signed to a recording contract by Clive Davis of Arista Records at age 19

Made professional solo performance debut at the New York nightclub, "Sweetwater's"

Performed the song, "Shock Me," for the film, "Perfect"

Released debut album "Whitney Houston"; the album sold over 13-million copies, making it the best-selling debut ever by a female artist

Performed the song, "The Greatest Love of All," for the film, "School for Vandals"

Second album, "Whitney," debuted at the top of the pop charts, the first time ever for a female solo act

Made feature film acting debut in "The Bodyguard," a romance with Kevin Costner; re-recorded the Dolly Parton song "I Will Always Love You" for the soundtrack

Co-starred in the ensemble drama "Waiting to Exhale," and contributed the single "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" to the soundtrack

Starred alongside Denzel Washington in "The Preacher's Wife," and received Grammy Award nominations for the album's soundtrack, which featured traditional and contemporary gospel songs

Formed Houston Productions

Houston Productions signed two-year non-exclusive first look deal with Touchstone Pictures

Co-executive produced and starred in an updated TV remake of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella"

Collaborated with Mariah Carey on the single "When You Believe" for the animated film "The Prince of Egypt"

Released "My Love Is Your Love," her first album in eight years; collaborated with Missy Elliott, Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, and Q-Tip

Arrested in Hawaii when airline authorities reportedly found marijuana in her luggage (the charges were later dismissed)

Dropped from the Academy Awards telecast, officially because of a sore throat, but reputedly due to poor rehearsals

Released the two-disc compilation "Greatest Hits," which featured one disc of hits and one of remixes; included duets with Enrique Iglesias, George Michael, and Deborah Cox

Served as a producer of the Disney film "The Princess Diaries"

Signed exclusive long-term contract with Arista Records worth a reported $100 million

Sued for $100 million by her father's entertainment company for breech of contract; lawsuit later thrown out by a superior court judge

Admitted to Diane Sawyer on the ABC news program "Primetime Live" that she abused marijuana, cocaine and alcohol

Checks into a drug rehab center, but within a week she checks out

Under orders from Fulton County probate court, Houston is taken to Crossroads, a drug rehabilitation clinic in Antigua, West Indies that was founded by Eric Clapton