Whitney Houston Siblings: Unveiling the Untold Bonds and Family Secrets

Whitney Houston Siblings.

Behind the brilliant spotlight that illuminated Whitney Houston’s vocal prowess, a web of familial bonds kept her firmly grounded.

While the world marveled at her individual ascent, Whitney’s life was intricately intertwined with the relationships she shared with her two siblings, Gary Garland and Michael Houston.

In this narrative, we will uncover the concealed connections and taciturn secrets that molded Whitney’s journey, exposing how these familial ties served as both a wellspring of resilience and, on occasion, a labyrinth of intricacies.

We will explore their common musical origins, their steadfast support throughout her meteoric rise, and the shadows cast by personal challenges that sometimes threatened to overshadow their unbreakable bond.

Brace yourself for an introduction to a side of Whitney Houston that remains largely unknown, her legacy illuminated by the enduring presence of her siblings.

This is more than just the tale of a superstar; it is the story of a family united by blood, music, and the indomitable force of love in all its chaotic yet magnificent manifestations.

Whitney Houston Siblings
Whitney Houston Siblings.

 

Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston, born on August 9, 1963, and passing away on February 11, 2012, was a renowned American singer and actress.

Recognized as “the Voice,” she stands among the highest-selling music artists globally, having sold over 220 million records.

In 2023, Rolling Stone honored her as the second-greatest singer in history.

Houston left an indelible mark on popular music, influencing numerous artists with her commanding, soulful vocals, adept vocal improvisation, and incorporation of gospel singing techniques into pop music.

Boasting an impressive chart presence, Houston achieved 11 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, an unparalleled feat with seven consecutive chart-toppers.

Her extraordinary musical career garnered her a multitude of accolades, including eight Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, two Emmy Awards, and an astonishing 30 Guinness World Records.

Houston’s enduring impact is evident in her double induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, along with recognitions in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and her inclusion in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.

Houston started singing at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, as a child and later became a background vocalist in high school.

After breaking barriers as one of the first black women on Seventeen’s cover in 1981, she signed with Arista Records at 19 under Clive Davis’s guidance.

Her first two albums, Whitney Houston (1985) and Whitney (1987), topped the Billboard 200, featuring hit singles like “How Will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

These albums solidified her role in breaking barriers for black female artists on MTV.

Her third album, I’m Your Baby Tonight (1990), produced two Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.

Notably, her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV in 1991 gained widespread media attention.

Houston’s acting debut was in the 1992 romantic thriller film The Bodyguard, the tenth highest-grossing film at that time, despite mixed reviews.

The film’s soundtrack, including hit singles like “I Will Always Love You,” won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and remains the bestselling soundtrack of all time.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Czl99capaDp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Houston continued her success with films like Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher’s Wife (1996), contributing to their soundtracks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0zf9TqLdE3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” from Waiting to Exhale became her last Billboard Hot 100 number-one single.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Czoh3Hzr3TD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

As a film producer, she worked on multicultural projects like Cinderella (1997), The Princess Diaries, and The Cheetah Girls.

Houston’s album My Love Is Your Love (1998) marked her return after an eight-year hiatus, featuring hit singles like “Heartbreak Hotel,” “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay,” and the Academy Award-winning duet “When You Believe” with Mariah Carey.

The success led to a $100 million contract renewal with Arista, one of the largest recording deals ever.

However, personal issues overshadowed her career, evident in the mixed reviews for Just Whitney (2002), her drug use, and a tumultuous marriage with Bobby Brown.

She made a comeback with I Look to You (2009), topping the Billboard 200 chart.

Tragically, Houston passed away in 2012 due to accidental drowning, heart disease, and cocaine use.

Her life story was depicted in the 2022 biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody.

Houston’s assets at the time of her death were valued at $250 million, accumulated over her 25-year career.

Michael Houston

Born on August 14, 1961, in Newark, New Jersey, USA, Michael Houston is the offspring of Cissy Houston and John Houston Jr.

At the age of 62 as of 2023, he is the elder sibling of Whitney and has an older half-brother, Gary Houston, from his mother’s previous marriage.

Michael’s professional endeavors revolve around his roles as a songwriter and singer.

  • Whitney Houston And Her Brother Were Close

Whitney and her older brother were incredibly close, to the extent that she affectionately referred to him as “Son,” leading some to mistakenly believe they were twins.

During an interview with Oprah, he shared:

“well I’m um living but I’m not alive without her” when he was asked about his life after his sister passing. “We were always being together most of the time and her following behind me. I taught her to drive, we played together, everything you do as you’re growing up,”  He informed Oprah.

Michael Houston and his sister, the renowned singer, had a strong connection.

However, they were unaware that this bond would eventually lead to the tragic demise of the star.

The vocalist of “Saving All My Love for You” was discovered deceased at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the result of an unintentional drowning.

However, a subsequent autopsy disclosed that cocaine abuse played a role in the tragic incident.

Her death was confirmed by her publicist, Kristin Foster, just hours before she was scheduled to perform at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammys party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Despite widespread suspicions pointing towards the singer’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown, as the cause of her drug addiction, her brother Michael later disclosed that he was the one who introduced her to drugs.

During a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael said, “I feel responsible I let it go so far.”

Michael Houston, Whitney’s brother, revealed that he was the initial individual with whom she experimented with drugs, not her former husband Bobby.

Although Michael expressed deep remorse over his sister’s passing, he acknowledged that he underestimated the peril of drugs when he first indulged with the iconic singer.

Michael confessed to resuming drug use after Whitney Houston’s demise but declared his sobriety since October 2012.

  • Where Is Michael Houston Now?

Michael Houston was formerly wedded to Donna Houston, but they later decided to end their marriage.

The couple shares two children, a son named Gary Michael Houston, who goes by the stage name E.D.O.T., and a daughter named Blaire Houston.

Despite being a close-knit and affectionate family, they faced their share of conflicts.

In 2002, a legal dispute arose within Michael’s family when his father, John Russell Houston, took legal action against his sister.

The lawsuit alleged that Whitney failed to compensate John’s company for their assistance in a record deal negotiation.

According to the claims, the lack of proper payment led to a lawsuit seeking $100 million from Whitney.

During an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the renowned singer shared that her father had been “swayed” by those in his social circle, attributing his vulnerability to his declining health.

John Houston, the father of Michael Houston, succumbed to persistent health problems in February 2003 at the age of 82.

In recent years, Michael Houston has maintained a low public profile, refraining from public appearances or interviews, leaving his current activities unclear.

Gary Garland

Gary Joseph Houston, born on October 12, 1957, is a retired American professional basketball player who played for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

His tenure with the Nuggets spanned the 1979–80 season.

Notably, Gary is the half-brother of the renowned singer Whitney Houston and shares the same familial connection with Michael Houston.

Whitney Houston Siblings
Whitney Houston with her Brother (Gary Garland).

 

They are all children of the accomplished singer Cissy Houston.

Additionally, Gary is the cousin of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and he holds the role of uncle to Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney’s daughter with singer Bobby Brown.

Apart from his basketball career, Gary has engaged in touring activities as a background singer and occasionally collaborated with Whitney Houston in duets.

Furthermore, he pursued studies at DePaul University.

  • Work As A Vocalist

Following his departure from the NBA’s Denver Nuggets in 1980, Garland joined his renowned sister, R&B/pop singer Whitney Houston, on her 1986 Greatest Love Tour as a background/duet vocalist.

This marked the beginning of an enduring professional collaboration with Whitney.

Garland served as a background singer in numerous tours of Whitney’s spanning the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and her 2010s Nothing But Love Tour.

  • Whitney Houston tours that included Gary Garland

Tour Name Year
The Greatest Love World Tour 1986
Moment of Truth World Tour 1987–88
I’m Your Baby Tonight World Tour 1991
The Bodyguard World Tour 1993–94
Pacific Rim Tour 1997
The European Tour 1998
My Love Is Your Love World Tour 1999
Soul Divas Tour 2004
Nothing But Love World Tour 2010

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Does Whitney Houston have a brother?

Gary Garland and Michael Houston are brothers to Whitney Houston.

  • Who inherited Whitney Houston fortune?

Bobbi Kristina Brown, Houston’s sole child from her former marriage to Bobby Brown, inherited her mother’s estate.

Houston crafted her will in 1993 following Bobbi Kristina’s birth and subsequently updated it in April 2000 to guarantee her daughter’s complete inheritance of the estate, as reported by USA Today.

Conclusion

Whitney Houston’s brilliance radiated not only on the stage but also within the intricate web of her family.

Her siblings, Gary and Michael, played integral roles in her rapid ascent, not as mere onlookers but as essential threads interwoven into the very fabric of her existence.

They provided steadfast support, sharing the weight of both her triumphs and tragedies.

While their unbreakable bond bestowed formidable strength, it also became entangled with the shadows of addiction and loss, exposing the poignant beauty and vulnerabilities inherent in love and family.

Whitney’s narrative extends beyond the realm of music; it stands as a testament to the enduring potency of human connection, underscoring that even the most brilliant stars may at times see their light dimmed by the internal shadows.

ALSO READ: John Lewis Siblings Unveiled: The Untold Family Legacy

https://youtu.be/MI0mWI5qur8

Leave a Comment