Whitney Houston: A Legend Remembered [PHOTOS]

Pop legend Whitney Houston, was the vocal star of a generation who inspired millions of fans before conquering tragedies.

The R & B singer regarded as one of the world's best singers, died on Saturday in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 48, on the eve of the Grammy Awards.

Coming from a musical family that included mother Cissy Houston, a gospel star, and Dionne Warwick, her cousin, she started out as a teen model and then made a dazzling segue to music.

She released her self-titled debut album in 1985 after being discovered by record producer Clive Davis, sold 25 million copies worldwide.

In all, she released seven albums and three film soundtracks - a winner of six Grammys, Houston sold over 200 million albums and singles worldwide. She earned 30 Billboard Awards, 22 American Music Awards and two Emmy Awards.

Her biggest best-known songs include "I will Always Love You" and "Saving All my Love for You" .. which were mega hits..She even released seven studio albums, the most recent in 2009.

She also acted and appeared in movies including The Bodyguard in 1992 with Kevin Costner and The Preacher's Wife, with Denzel Washington, and Waiting to Exhale.

 A major career setback after admitting drug use during an abusive relationship with ex-husband Bobby Brown weakened.

But Houston shared a close relationship with her daughter 19-year old daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. Despite divorcing in 2007, Houston and her ex-husband Bobby Brown did their best to keep things civil for the sake of their daughter.

However, he last 10 years of Houston's life were dominated by drug use, rumours of relapses and trips to rehab. In an interview, she had admitted using marijuana, cocaine, alcohol and prescription drugs. In 2009 she launched a comeback tour and in

April 2010 she called media reports she was using drugs again "ridiculous." Later in May 2011, Houston enrolled in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme.

Whitney Houston poses with her Grammy after she was named Best Pop Vocal Performer-Female at the 30th annual Grammy Awards at New York's Radio City Music Hall March 2, 1988.

Whitney Houston smiles at a news conference in New York July 11, 1988. Houston announced she would perform a benefit concert for the United Negro College Fund at Madison Square Garden in August.

Singer Whitney Houston holds the Image Award she received for outstanding female recording artist at the 27th National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People's Image Awards April 6. The awards honour achievement in the arts by African-Americans

Arista Records and singer Whitney Houston announced September 19, 2001 their plans to re-release the pop diva's moving rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," originally perfomed January 27, 1991 at Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Florida. Royalties and proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to the New York Firefighters Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Fraternal Order of Police to benefit the departments and their families affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. Houston is pictured in a file photo June 19 at the BET Awards in Las Vegas.

U.S. singer Whitney Houston performs at the annual Brit music awards February 16. The awards are held at the London Arena.

Singer Whitney Houston poses with the Grammy Award she won at the 42nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, February 23. Houston won for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "It's Not Right But It's Okay.

Whitney Houston reacts after receiving the BET Honors for Entertainment in Washington, January 16, 2010. Sponsored by the Black Entertainment Television network, the awards show celebrates the life works and accomplishments of inspiring African Americans, according to their website. R

Singer and actress Whitney Houston (C), a producer on the family comedy motion picture "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," poses with her husband, singer Bobby Brown (R) and their daughter Bobbi (L) as they arrive for the premiere of the film at Disneyland in Anaheim, California August 7, 2004. ["The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" opens in the United States Aug

Whitney Houston performs at the Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons with Clive Davis honoring David Geffen held in Beverly Hills, California, February 12, 2011.

Singer Whitney Houston performs during a taping of Good Morning America on ABC in New York September 1, 2009. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson