Susan Bell Drinkard is known for being the proud maternal grandmother of an iconic American singer, songwriter model, and actress, Whitney Houston. Known for her soulful voice and distinct singing skills, Whitney was popularity nicknamed “The Voice”. She is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She has sold over 200 million records worldwide. With seven consecutive songs ranked number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, she became the only singer to do so. In 1998, she released her studio album My Love Is Your Love which was her career’s best work, selling millions.
Its songs “Heartbreak Hotel”, “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay” and “My Love Is Your Love” were leading hits of the album, after the success of which she signed a new contract with Arista for $100 million. The deal was highest at that time.
Susan Bell Drinkard’s Family Background
Susan’s granddaughter was born Whitney Elizabeth Houston on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey to an ex-Army serviceman and Newark city administrator John Russell Houston Jr. and gospel singer Cissy Houston.
Whitney started singing as a child in church and at her school as a background vocalist. She became the first black woman to be featured on the cover page of magazine Seventeen in 1981. She graduated from Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell, New Jersey in 1981.
Her maternal grandaunt Dionne Warwick was a well-known American singer, actress, and TV host, and Dee Dee Warwick was also a famous singer.
Susan Bell Drinkard’s Career
At the age of 19 Susan’s granddaughter, Whitney Houston signed a contract with Artista Records to release her first and second albums Whitney Houston (1985) and Whitney (1987) respectively. Both albums reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 and joined the list of best-selling albums of all time. Her third album I’m Your Baby Tonight (1990) had two singles “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and “All the Man That I Need” that ranked number one on Billboard Hot 100.
She started her acting career with the romantic thriller film The Bodyguard (1992), the film, despite being not that successful at the box office, it earned the status of being the tenth highest-grossing film to that date. She recorded the soundtrack for the movie and 6 songs. The soundtrack won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year while the song “I Will Always Love You” won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. The album was a best-selling soundtrack album of all time, while the song was a best-selling physical single by a woman.
Susan Bell Drinkard’s Family Net Worth
Susan’s granddaughter Whitney Housten, despite being one of the most successful and richest singers of all time, was in debt of $20 million at the time of her death in February 2012. However, even after her death, her estate, album sales, royality, licensing, and streaming deals generated a huge amount of wealth equal to tens of millions of dollars.
Her notable songs that sold million include “Saving All My Love for You” (1985) and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” (1988). Including 2 Emmy Awards, 6 Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, and 28 Guinness World Records, she received numerous awards and honors. Whitney has also been inducted into the Grammy, Rhythm and Blues Music, and Rock and Roll halls of fame.
