Tragic Details About Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was one of the most celebrated performers of all time. With countless hit singles, six Grammy Awards, and a whopping 25 nominations, she was one of the most prominent performers in the 1980s and 1990s. However, despite her undeniable talent and immense success, Houston's life was far from picture-perfect. Beneath the glittering exterior, she endured deep personal struggles and tragedies that followed her from childhood to her untimely death. Houston's struggles were multi-faceted, involving deeply personal pain, tumultuous relationships, and the pressures of superstardom.

Over the years, documentaries and interviews have shed light on the pain she carried, revealing a layered and heartbreaking story behind the superstar. One such documentary, released in 2018, was "Whitney," which allowed her fans to learn more about Houston after her 2012 death, including an unspoken childhood trauma that had shaped her journey.

One of the most harrowing revelations about Whitney Houston's life from the 2018 documentary "Whitney" was that Houston and her half-brother Gary Garland experienced childhood trauma as a result of being sexually abused as children by their cousin Dee Dee Warwick, the sister of renowned singer Dionne Warwick. This traumatic experience was confirmed by Houston's brother and other family members in the film. The revelation shocked fans and underscored the emotional weight Houston carried beneath her glamorous star exterior.

While Whitney rarely spoke about this chapter of her life publicly, its impact seemed to ripple throughout Houston's transformation into adulthood. Kevin MacDonald, who directed the documentary, stated, "As I looked at footage of Whitney, she seemed uncomfortable in herself, physically uncomfortable. It reminded me of people who had some childhood trauma."

Experts have noted that unresolved childhood trauma often leads to struggles with mental health and substance abuse, both of which plagued Houston later in life (via NBC News). MacDonald said Whitney's brother echoed this sentiment in one of his interviews for the documentary. "Gary said that the origin of his own addiction, and the reason he could not fully heal, was the recurring images of when he was abused as a child," observed MacDonald (via The New York Times). 

Whitney Houston's substance use became public knowledge in the late 1990s, but those close to her indicated it had begun much earlier. Her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, told "20/20," "The drugs wasn't her. She did drugs but drugs didn't do her. She knew how to handle herself. It only made me love and want to protect her more" (via People).  However, those who knew her best painted a different picture. A record executive close to Houston insisted, "She was in pain from all the pressure she was facing and the pain from living almost a double life. She was doing ridiculous amounts of hard drugs and sacrificed her God-given talents for that" (via People). 

Houston's substance use intensified as she struggled with the pressures of fame. By the early 2000s, her health and career began to decline. Despite several attempts at rehabilitation, including stints in rehab centers, she found it difficult to break free from addiction. Public appearances during this time often sparked concern, with fans noticing a marked change in her voice and demeanor. Houston's mother told People a year after the singer's death that there were times when she didn't recognize her own daughter due to her substance abuse. "She looked like someone I didn't know. I knew my daughter was in grave danger" (via People). Tragically, the substance abuse would play a role in her premature death.

Whitney Houston's marriage to Bobby Brown was another source of tragedy in her life. The couple wed in 1992 just a few years after meeting in 1989 at the Soul Train Music Awards. The couple welcomed their daughter Bobbi Kristina in 1993. However, their relationship was far from harmonious. Their union was characterized by public arguments, allegations of infidelity, and substance abuse until their divorce in 2007. 

Brown's influence on Houston has long been debated, with many believing that their relationship exacerbated her struggles with addiction. However, Brown refuted those claims in a "20/20" interview, saying: "It's just unexplainable how one could, you know, [claim that I] got her addicted to drugs. I'm not the reason she's gone. It makes me feel terrible. But I know differently. I think if anyone ever knew us, if anybody ever spent time around us instead of time looking through the bubble, they would know how we felt about each other. They would know how happy we were together" (via People). 

The couple's tumultuous marriage became fodder for tabloids, further complicating Houston's efforts to maintain her image and personal stability. They divorced in 2007, but the scars of their relationship lingered with Brown going on the record to state in 2008, "I think we got married for all the wrong reasons" (via Biography). The surrounding details about what happened inside Houston's relationship with Brown remain debated even years after her death. 

As one of the most famous women in the world, Whitney Houston often spoke about the suffocating pressures of fame. In an interview, her longtime friend and gospel singer BeBe Winans recalled, "She wanted to walk in malls, go grocery shopping, and do everything that regular working people do" (via People). Houston's success left her feeling trapped, unable to experience the normalcy she craved. "She was someone who had such a big heart and loved people and wanted to help people, but sometimes felt caged because of her success and her fame," Winans continued. Winans went on to describe her relationship with Houston, "She was a sister, and beyond a sister."

Winans also shared that Houston would occasionally attempt to escape the spotlight, often seeking solace at Winans' home in Nashville, Tennessee. While Houston found fleeting comfort in these moments, the demands of her career and the public's relentless fascination with her life made it nearly impossible for her to find peace. According to those closest to Houston, this yearning for normalcy, coupled with the strain of public scrutiny, contributed to her emotional and mental pressure.

On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston was found unconscious in the bathtub of her suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel just one day before the Grammy Awards.  She was pronounced dead shortly thereafter at the age of 48. The coroner's report cited accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors. The world mourned the loss of a legendary voice silenced too soon. Houston was survived by her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown and ex-husband Bobby Brown. 

Los Angeles County Coroner Assistant Chief Ed Winter revealed his opinion on what caused the singer's death: "She could've passed out first due to the intoxication from the cocaine, or she could've had a heart attack and then drowned. It's probably one of those two scenarios," Winter explained (via People). 

Houston's death underscored the heavy toll of her struggles, but her legacy endures. Her unparalleled talent and contributions to music continue to inspire new generations of artists. Though her life was marred by tragedy, Houston remains a cultural icon whose voice and story resonate with millions around the globe.