Whitney Houston: Powerful voice, stunning beauty, personal trials

However, answers about her final moments were in short supply amid a police investigation into her death - which occurred hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy party.

What we know:

Authorities were called to Houston's hotel room at 3:43 p.m. Saturday after her bodyguard found her unconscious. Houston was found in the room's bathtub, according to the news entertainment website TMZ. Pill bottles were found at the scene, TMZ said, citing sources close to Houston, and her bodyguard attempted CPR. She was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m., authorities said.

There were "no obvious signs of criminal intent," said Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen.

See the latest details here

While Houston had battled drug addiction for years, she was attempting a comeback, playing a few shows and working on a movie, "Sparkle," set for release this summer. An unnamed music industry executive, who was staying in the room above Houston, said she had seen Houston and her daughter swimming in the hotel pool a few days ago. The two looked happy, she said, and Houston looked healthy and beautiful.

Her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18, was taken to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Sunday, police in Beverly Hills said. No information on her condition was available.

Houston's former husband, entertainer Bobby Brown, issued a statement Sunday:

"I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife," the statement read. "At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina. I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed toward my family and I at this most difficult time."

Fallen stars from same musical era

The party Houston was set to attend Saturday night was hosted by Clive Davis, her mentor. It went on as scheduled, but Houston's death cast a shadow over the event.

Photos: Whitney and her famous friends

"I do have a heavy heart, and I am personally devastated," Davis told the gathering of artists and entertainers that included Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight and Britney Spears. He asked for a moment of silence, and said, "My heart goes out to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and her mother, Cissy."

Humble beginnings in church choir

The big questions:

However, many questions swirled Sunday about the cause of Houston's death. Police were tight-lipped, saying Sunday no further updates would be issued before Monday. An autopsy could take place as soon as Sunday, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's office, although toxicology tests typically take several weeks.

Meanwhile, Houston fans gathered outside the hotel Saturday night, lighting candles and placing roses outside.

How did Whitney Houston touch your life?

"Everyone has their own demons, and some overcome them and some never do," said fan Tya Conerly.

And with the Grammy Awards set for Sunday night, organizers hastily put into motion plans to honor Houston during the ceremony, with the help of singer Jennifer Hudson.

See what celebrities and friends are saying

There will be a "respectful musical tribute," said Ken Ehrlich, executive producer. "It's too fresh in everyone's memory to do more at this time, but we would be remiss if we didn't recognize Whitney's remarkable contribution to music fans in general, and in particular her close ties with the Grammy telecast and her Grammy wins and nominations over the years."

In a speech Saturday evening, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos urged the Cabinet to approve the deal, warning of "social explosion, chaos" if it fails.

"The state will not be able to pay salaries and pensions or import basic goods" such as medicine and fuel, he warned, adding that "unemployment, which is currently unacceptably high, would increase even higher."

Ultimately, Papademos said, if parliament rejects the deal, Greece - already in the midst of a prolonged recession - would be "bankrupted and out of the eurozone."

Parliamentary approval would pave the way for the eurozone finance ministers to sign off on the new €130 billion ($172.6 billion) bailout deal.

Greece needs the funds in order to meet €14.5 billion in debt repayments due next month.

The five opposition candidates vying for a spot on the ballot have agreed on one thing: supporting whoever wins the primary.

The unified front could be a key weapon in the political battle leading up to October's presidential election, analysts say.

"The opposition realized that if they are not united, if they divide the vote, they can never beat Chavez," said Federico Welsch, a political science professor at the Simon Bolivar University in Caracas. "After Sunday, President Chavez will have an adversary with a face and a name. ... This time it seems like the opposition has a real possibility of winning. It's not a very high probability, but there's a chance."

Chavez's supporters have slammed the opposition coalition, saying there's no doubt the incumbent president will triumph in October.

The latest tactic came as shelling rained on city's Baba Amr neighborhood once again Sunday, residents say, marking at least the eighth straight day President Bashar al-Assad's troops have pummeled Homs in an attempt to wipe out the opposition.

"My house is dancing. I am almost dead because of the siege," said the opposition activist, named Omar.

The cause of death and where she died were not immediately known. In May 2011, Houston got help for her much-publicized struggle with drugs and alcohol, her representative said at the time.

As news of her death spread online her fans and celebrities tweeted that they were absolutely shocked and saddened at the news.

iReport: Share your memories 

Tributes began flooding in almost immediately as people began expressing their shock at the news. Nearly all of the trends on Twitter worldwide were shortly associated with the singer's death. Among them: R.I.P Whitney Houston, #DearWhitney, #IWillAlwaysLoveYou, The Bodyguard, Bobby Brown and Wanna Dance With Somebody.

"The first full hour after the news broke saw 2,481,652 tweets and retweets, peaking at 61,227 tweets at 5:23 p.m. (all times are PST)," according to Topsy.com. "That is over a thousand tweets a second, not quite as much as during the Superbowl but still a lot."

Whitney Houston is shown trending around the entire globe Saturday night after news of her death.

Houston had been in Los Angeles and Grammy rehearsal parties were taking place one night before the music industry's biggest event. Stunned celebrities heard about the news all together.

Mariah Carey, who famously performed a duet with Houston on "When You Believe" was stunned by the news.

Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston.

—
Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) February 12, 2012

She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.

—
Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) February 12, 2012

LaToya Jackson also took to Twitter to express her condolences to Houston's family. She and the rest of her family have gone through the turmoil of dealing with the sudden death of the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

I can't fathom the fact that #whitneyhouston has died! My heart goes out 2 her mother, daughter & her love ones. #Whitney U will be missed!

—
La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) February 12, 2012

The news of Houston's death brought many people back to their childhood and reminisced on all of the ways Houston's music had entered their lives. Whether it was their love of a literal soundtrack, like "The Bodyguard," or the songs that were so embedded into their  souls that ie became soundtrack to their lives, fans shared their sadness at the loss.

Whitney's music is the soundtrack to my womanhood.

—
Mother Justice (@MotherJustice) February 12, 2012

Sang I believe the children are the future 6 grade graduation like so many other kids! Will never forget whitney !! R.I.P

—
ghost (@therealstylesp) February 12, 2012

Many also wanted to share their favorite memories of Whitney Houston, sparking the trend #FavoriteWhitneySong.

#FavoriteWhitneySong: What's yours?

Whitney Houston was a formative part of my childhood. And, this was our senior prom theme. Thank you, Whitney. youtu.be/tYFHAvULvJ0

—
Aimie Billon (@AimieRocks) February 12, 2012

R.I.P. Whitney Houston "there can be miracles when you believe..." -- Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey youtu.be/g4EcSOygB90 via @youtube

—
Roger Gonzalez (@rogergzz) February 12, 2012

Remembering Whitney Houston. This video is pretty amazing. She will be missed incredibly. youtu.be/Z1QmeEdFOSc via @youtube

—
Grant Gustin (@grantgust) February 12, 2012

For some fellow artists, the news hit at their core. Houston, for them, was not only an icon but also an inspiration for many.

R.I.P Whitney Houston... A true icon of our time. Gone too soon. My heart goes out to the family in their time of distress. URIV

—
Usher Raymond IV (@UsherRaymondIV) February 12, 2012

Watching the news now...it's true. R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Ugh I hate that I'm even typing this...I'm shocked. She was my hero growing up.

—
Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) February 12, 2012

I can't believe we have lost Whitney. I can't stop crying... I'm so sad. RIP Whitney, my hero...

—
Alexandra Burke (@alexandramusic) February 12, 2012

No words! Just tears #DearWhitney

—
Rihanna (@rihanna) February 12, 2012

Newark's mayor Cory Booker even took to Twitter to pay tribute to one of New Jersey's greatest starts.

RIP Whitney Houston, a Legend and great American artist. And always, one of Newark's and New Jersey's treasured daughters.

—
Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) February 12, 2012

The tributes and reaction continue to flood in at an unbelievable pace. Among them:

Someone please tell me that it's not true about Whitney Houston passing! Such an amazing talent!

—
Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) February 12, 2012

Shocked we've lost the immensely talented Whitney Houston! Sending prayers of peace & solace 2 her family, friends & fans! Such a loss!

—
Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) February 12, 2012

Whitney was always so sweet to me! Was rooting for her through her struggles! Such a shame...I'm truly saddened by this news!

—
Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) February 12, 2012

Wow just wow. This has ruined my whole day. #Iwillalwaysloveyou

—
Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 12, 2012

#OneMomentInTime has propelled me to many of my grand slams victories. #whitneyhouston

—
Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 12, 2012

there is a phenomenal concert going on in heaven right now. RIP Whitney.

—
gino barletta (@gbstarr) February 12, 2012

This is the saddest thing I've ever had to write in my life, R I P to one of the greatest humans that I have ever known Whitney Houston

—
Wyclef Jean (@wyclef) February 12, 2012

THE VOICE is gone but the music remains. fb.me/DAvQE93l

—
  (@AustinBloggy) February 12, 2012

Whitney Houston. What a sad tragedy-the end of the life of an incredible talent. RIP to an amazing singer and legend.

—
Joan Rivers (@Joan_Rivers) February 12, 2012

This is terrible news..I'm sick to my stomach. Nobody sang like Whitney

—
Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 12, 2012

So saddened by Whitney Houston's passing. A great, beautiful talent who will be mourned by all. XxV

—
Vera Wang (@VeraWangGang) February 12, 2012

RIP Whitney Houston :( we will alwaaaaysss love you...

—
Gading Marten (@gadiiing) February 12, 2012

R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Thank you for the amazing music you brought into the world.

—
Mark Zuckerberg (@ceoMarkZuck) February 12, 2012

So sad about Whitney Houston. Thank you for the music. #goodbyeQueenofpop

—
Dannii Minogue (@DanniiMinogue) February 12, 2012

R.I.P. Sister WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!! We will always love you.

—
Cee Lo Green (@CeeLoGreen) February 12, 2012

it's incredible the impact one voice can have. Whitney, you changed so much. A true Icon.

—
Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) February 12, 2012

I remember how sweet Whitney Houston was us cast members when on SNL. The world just lost an incredible voice. Just like that. Tragic.

—
Chris Kattan (@ChrisKattan) February 12, 2012

Jackson flew to the southern Somali border town of Dolo, which has provided refuge to the thousands of women and children fleeing drought and conflict in the nation.

"What I am seeing is devastating - these women and children have risked everything to come to this Somalia camp, just to get food," Jackson said. "They need our help."

Somalia has battled famine conditions in some regions and an Islamist insurgency that has disrupted aid to people in danger of starvation. The United Nations declared an end to Somalia's six-month famine recently, but said the situation is still fragile.

The singer teamed up with the World Food Programme for the Wednesday and Thursday visits that included a stop in a slum in neighboring Kenya.

Think of this as a companion piece to the previous "overheard" post on privacy. There was a comment in the story about Google that provided some inspiration.

Pitt86: "Slightly off topic, but, in the 'Google vs. Apple' climate seemingly everywhere on this site, am I the only one that finds some humor in the fact that the picture at the top of the article shows a Google screen on a MacBook?"

We do have quite a division between people who despise Apple products and those who love them. There are devoted Android and Google fanbases, but also plenty of iPhone and Macintosh devotees. This division was fairly evident in a few stories this week, but maybe no more than in this piece about the cost of iPhones for carriers.

The iPhone is a nightmare for carriers

This was the most-liked comment:

Sinator: "It's not right that we non Apple users are subsidizing the posers through higher rates. They just need to tack on a sour Apple fee for those who can't feel cool without one.

This person agreed.

fingaz: "And this is why I will be getting the Droid 4 this Friday. Verizon knows that they can make more of a profit on this phone while still sell this awesome phone for cheap! Apple products are simply just wayyy over priced with tons less features then other phones. And you can't even customize them. Its Apples way or the highway! I still have no idea why people buy them!"

But this reader went for Apple.

zopaa: "So I got a brand spanking new Motorola Android-based phone last October. It was great, but I switched to iPhone as soon as it was available on Sprint. The reason? I was trying to show off my new Android phone to my friends after work, but couldn't because the batter was dead. All the bells and whistles are not worth anything, if the basic functions are not there. When in a few years Android make a usable product, I may switch back. I have no allegiance to Apple, but I want to have the best device and IMO iPhone is such a device for a mobile phone."

These commenters talked about the U.S. mobile market. Some of our readers said other countries do it better.

Zoofamily: "That's what makes America great. You can leave at any time and sign up for Sprint or TMobile. If you hate Apple so much, go to company that is not beholden to them."

all423421: "We actually have one of the least competitive wireless markets in the developed world. Then you have the other problem of the handsets being locked down and not allowing you to use other carriers. Keep in mind, the most competitive markets and services are in Europe and Asia, where Big Government sets the rules and actually promotes competition."

There was some palpable animosity in this comment.

alphaneko: "Cry me a river. After squeezing customers for decades, you think anyone really cares whether their telco is being squeezed by Apple? This is an industry well known for screwing their customers. It's time they learn how it feels to be on the receiving end."

But back to the Apple-Android rivalry fun. Some of our readers say Android devices are awesome.

Dustin Feltz: "As long as my Android-based phones are on par with Apple's, spec-wise, and I'm able to root and mod as I please, I will continue to laugh as people dish out extra money for a brand name."

krozareq: "I hear that. I can actually do what I want with my phone instead of Apple restricting everything so that they can introduce it in a later iPhone. Apple is all about marketing."

nightsun2k7: "I agree, love my android phone, i have 3 friends that are going to switch from iPhone to Droid on their next purchase. I turn it on, it works, I plug it into any computer and transfer songs and data all I want. I can use SD cards to expand memory all I want. It even has Flash. What more could you ask for at half the price of an iPhone."

Some came back and defended Apple.

Luyt: "I honestly don't understand why people insist on knocking Apple (or Windows for that matter) in these comments. It's a brand, simple as that. If you like it, you buy more of it, often w/o shopping around for alternatives – if not, you don't. That's what brands are for. Are you constantly shopping around for the "best" coffee (clothes, beer, shoes, insert whatever) at the "best" deal? No, you simply stick with what has treated you well. BIG DEAL. Why do you buy the brand X shoes you buy? Have you tried them all? Are they the "best," the cheapest?How would you respond if some pr*ck that was walking by told you your shoes were overpriced and you simply were a follower? As far as the carriers in the article ...? They are big boys and girls and can make their own decisions, and will likely make a lot of money doing so. You don't become ATT, Verizon, or etc by paying out more than you get in. If you think otherwise, take your extraordinary business acumen and start up your own electronics or carrier company. Good luck."

Lionsson: "I think everyone can agree that if a carrier raises the price on the iPhone by 40% they are sure to lose that race. So one could say every customer in a way is helping pay for the iPhone with the higher price place on everyone."

Luyt: "Lionsson, I am not saying you are wrong, but I don't understand your point/argument ... First, where do you get the "40%" number from? Second, I think we need to know a lot more details before we can say that the carriers are raising everyone's rates in order to carry iphones. Nonetheless, if true, do they do the same for android based systems? Next, for the sake of argument, let's say they raise rates solely to carry iPhones. This concept is not new. We all 'overpay' for one thing or another for something we don't use."

But wait ...

Pederson23: "All wireless companies should raise data rates just for iPhone users. Apple might not like that but its one way of strong arming them to lower subsidy. iPhones aren't worth it anyway. Slow phone, small screen, no 4G, and it takes forever for Apple to release improvements. Apple is going down hill. Besides, what can an iPhone do that an Android can't?"

JedioftheSun: "Make baristas think they're ... 'creative.' "

More ...

JedioftheSun: "Most iPhone users can't do anything past sending an email. That's why they had to introduce that one thing where you ask it a question for something that should learn how to do yourself on the phone. Sheeple or iSheep are blind followers of Wozniak's stolen ideas."

There's always another point of view.

JonfrmHi: "Give me a break. The phone is 900 at most. I pay at least 90 a month. thats roughly 2,160 over the course of my two year contract. they more than make up the subsidized price. Please. Besides, everyone wants the iPhone and the carriers know it. Thats why Sprint just 1.4 million iPhones in the first quarter they've had it, and 40% were new customers. I doubt that if the iPhone was 'bad' for carriers they would choose to carry it."

Can you hear me now?

elazul2k: "The iPhone is a modern day plague. Everywhere you go you see morons ignoring the world around them having their brains sucked away by this device. I hope it buries the greedy carriers too. All of them deserve each other!"

flipnap2112: "I think you mean the 'cell phone.' "

Wow, that was a tough fight. What do you think? Share your opinion in the comments area below and in the latest stories on CNN.com. Or sound off on video via CNN iReport.

Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.