Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles at the age of 48. The cause of death is yet to be established but TMZ is reporting the singer was found in the bath with prescription medication in her room.

Whitney rose to fame in 1985 with her self-titled album, which went on to sell 25 million copies. Her amazing voice earned her 11 number-one hits (including I Will Always Love You which featured on The Bodyguard soundtrack), 30 Billboard Awards, 22 American Music Awards, two Emmy Awards and six Grammies. But later in her career, after marrying R’n’B bad boy Bobby Brown, Whitney spiralled into drug abuse. Brown and Houston share a daughter, 19-year-old Bobbi Kristina, who is said to be distraught at her mother’s early death.

Whitney paved the way for diva singers such as Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Jennifer Hudson – who will perform a tribute to the singer at today’s Grammy Awards.