A string of firsts and number ones over the past two decades made the super-talented Whitney Houston a household name around the world. Unfortunately, all of the talent and the successes took a back seat in recent years due to persistent headlines detailing rampant drug use and abuse by her ex-husband Bobby Brown.

Ignore the prurient headlines though and what you’re left with is a history of one of the greatest talents ever to grace the pop, R&B and gospel charts. Her debut album was the best-selling album of all time for a first-time female artist. She racked up seven consecutive #1 hits making her hotter than even The Beatles — along the way she managed to turn out the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time and the top gospel album ever released.

Lucky for us, she’s divorced Brown and reportedly put her problems behind her – the world eagerly awaits the next chapter for the unforgettable Whitney.