Whitney Houston | 1963-2012

Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick sing “That’s What Friends Are For” at the 2011 Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

March 22, 2012 5:23 PM PT

Whitney Houston and then-husband Bobbi Brown at a premiere at Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood. (Rene Macura/ Associated Press)

Whitney Houston, who received the International Artist Award at the 2009 American Music Awards, bows her head after performing at the ceremony. She reigned as pop music’s queen in the 1980s and ‘90s. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

Whitney Houston performs “I Have Nothing” at the 1993 Billboard Music Awards, after winning the world artist and world single awards. (Ted S. Warren / Los Angeles Times)

Whitney Houston performs “Until You Come Back to Me” during the 1999 American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)

Whitney Houston and then-husband Bobby Brown perform in the “VH1 Divas” duets show in Las Vegas. (Joe Cavaretta / Associated Press)

Singer Ray J (bother of Brandi) and Whitney Houston attend the Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe light heavyweight boxing match at the Thomas & Mack center in Las Vegas on April 19, 2008. (Isaac Brekken / Associated Press)

Whitney Houston performs during the 2011 pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton. (Mark Ralston / AFP/Getty Images)

Whitney Houston sings the national anthem before the New York Giants play the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV in Tampa on Jan. 27, 1991. (George Rose / Getty Images)

Whitney Houston at an “I Look to You” CD listening party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 23, 2009. (Frank Micelotta / Associated Press)

Whitney Houston at the Carousel of Hope Ball benefiting the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Beverly Hills in October 2006. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

Whitney Houston at a taping of the 1999 MTV Movie Awards at Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport on June 9, 1999. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Whitney Houston and her mother, Cissy Houston, at a taping of “Soul Train’s” 25th anniversary Hall of Fame Special at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Nov. 2, 1995. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)