Whitney Houston's Husband and Relationship History

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Updated April 12, 2024 30.4K views 9 items

Do you know everyone in Whitney Houston's dating history? Many famous men have dated the late Whitney Houston, and this list will give you more details about these lucky dudes. Including Whitney Houston’s most recent boyfriend, past relationships, pictures together, and dating rumors, this comprehensive dating history tells you everything you need to know about Whitney Houston’s love life. 

This list features Whitney Houston’s ex-boyfriends along with additional information about them, such as when they were born and what they do professionally. These boys come in all shapes and sizes, but what they all have in common is that they're all men that Whitney Houston has either dated or hooked up with. It's not hard to get jealous of these men that Whitney Houston has gone out with, so try your hardest to contain your envy.

From 1992 to 2007, Whitney Houston was married to Bobby Brown. Their daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, passed away in 2015 at the age of 22. Houston herself passed in 2012.

This list of Whitney Houston’s boyfriends and rumored exes includes Ray J, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine Jackson, Eddie Murphy, and Michael Jackson.

  • Ray J
    Photo: John Gichigi / Getty Images

    Whitney Houston and Ray J began their tumultuous relationship in 2007, with the pair meeting through mutual friends in the music industry. Despite their significant age difference, the two were often spotted out together, attending star-studded events and even causing controversy when they were seen together following Whitney's divorce from Bobby Brown. Their on-again, off-again relationship continued until just before Houston's tragic death in 2012.

    Known primarily for his music career, Ray J first gained popularity with his sultry R&B tunes and his roles in various television shows. However, his fame skyrocketed when a certain scandalous tape with Kim Kardashian was released in 2007. Additionally, Ray J has had high-profile relationships with several other women in the entertainment industry, including Teairra Mari and Princess Love, whom he married in 2016.

  • Tupac Shakur
    Photo: Poetic Justice / Columbia Pictures

    Rumors of a romantic connection between Whitney Houston and Tupac Shakur began swirling in the early '90s when they were both at the height of their respective careers. While Houston denied these rumors at the time, her ex-husband Bobby Brown later claimed in his book Every Little Step that she did, in fact, have an affair with the legendary rapper. However, the true nature and duration of their relationship remain shrouded in mystery, as Tupac was tragically killed in 1996.

    A hip-hop icon and actor, Tupac Shakur remains one of the most influential rappers in history, known for his thought-provoking lyrics and captivating storytelling. His untimely death has not diminished his impact on the music world, with his extensive discography still celebrated today. Throughout his brief yet meteoric career, Tupac was linked to various high-profile women, most notably Madonna, who confirmed their relationship in a 2015 interview.

  • Michael Jackson
    Photo: Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images

    Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson's friendship was well-documented, with the two collaborating on several occasions, most notably on their iconic duet "I Just Can't Stop Loving You." In his book The Soundtrack of My Life, producer Clive Davis claimed that Houston and Jackson were once romantically involved, but both singers denied these claims. The exact nature of their relationship continues to be debated, but there's no denying the incredible impact their shared musical talent had on pop culture.

    The undisputed King of Pop, Michael Jackson captivated audiences worldwide with his unparalleled vocal range and impressive dance moves. From his early days as part of the Jackson 5 to his solo career, Jackson's influence on the music world is indelible. He was also known for his high-profile relationships, including marriages to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, as well as his friendship with Brooke Shields.

  • Bobby Brown
    Photo: Robin Platzer / Getty Images

    Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown first met at the Soul Train Music Awards in 1989 and began dating shortly after. Their whirlwind romance led to a highly publicized wedding in 1992, which was attended by over 800 guests. The couple's tumultuous relationship was marred by drug addiction and domestic abuse allegations, ultimately leading to their divorce in 2007. Despite all the challenges they faced, Houston and Brown shared 15 years together and welcomed their only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown, in 1993.

    Bobby Brown rose to fame as a member of the R&B group New Edition before embarking on a successful solo career. His bad-boy image and sultry hits like "My Prerogative" and "Every Little Step" cemented his place in the annals of R&B history. Brown has also been romantically linked to other famous women, such as Janet Jackson, in addition to his infamous marriage to Houston.

  • Kelly McGillis
    Photo: Paramount Pictures

    In the late '80s, whispers of a potential romance between Whitney Houston and Kelly McGillis began to circulate. The two met while working on their respective film projects, with Houston starring in The Bodyguard and McGillis appearing in Top Gun. While they were photographed together on numerous occasions, both women always maintained that they were just close friends. However, the true nature of their relationship remains a Hollywood mystery.

    Best known for her roles in Top Gun and Witness, Kelly McGillis was one of the most sought-after actresses of the 1980s. Despite her successful acting career, McGillis has led a relatively private personal life. She came out as a lesbian in 2009 and was previously married to men – Boyd Black and Fred Tillman – with whom she shares two children.

  • Randall Cunningham
    Photo: flickr / CC0

    In the early '90s, rumors surfaced that Whitney Houston was dating NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham. They met at a charity event where Whitney performed, and their shared Christian faith reportedly sparked an instant connection between the two. While the pair were spotted together on several occasions, the extent of their relationship is unclear, as they never publicly confirmed their romance.

    Randall Cunningham is best known for his impressive NFL career, having played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and was named the NFL's MVP in 1990. Following his football career, Cunningham became an ordained minister and founded Remnant Ministries Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Eddie Murphy
    Photo: Ron Galella / Getty Images

    Whitney Houston and Eddie Murphy's whirlwind romance began in the late '80s, when the two hit it off at a party. There are conflicting reports about the seriousness of their relationship, but Houston's close friend and confidante Robyn Crawford confirmed in her memoir that they were indeed an item. The couple's romance fizzled out by the early '90s, but they remained friends and even shared a love scene on Murphy's 1992 film Boomerang.

    Eddie Murphy is an iconic comedian, actor, and singer, known for his incredible range of talent and ability to captivate audiences with his unique voice and humor. From his memorable stint on Saturday Night Live to his box-office hits like Coming to America and The Nutty Professor, Murphy remains one of the most popular entertainers in the industry. He has also been linked to numerous high-profile women, including former Spice Girl Mel B and model Nicole Mitchell, to whom he was married for thirteen years.

  • Jermaine Jackson
    Photo: Dave Hogan / Getty Images

    Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson met in 1984 when Houston was just beginning her meteoric rise to fame. The pair reportedly had a brief, secret affair while Jackson was still married to his first wife, Hazel Gordy. Their romance was short-lived, but they remained close friends, with Jackson even acting as a pallbearer at Houston's funeral in 2012.

    Jermaine Jackson initially rose to fame as a member of the Jackson 5, alongside his superstar brother Michael. He later embarked on a solo career and is known for hit songs like "Do What You Do" and "Let's Get Serious." Jackson has been married three times, most notably to Halima Rashid and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, and was famously romantically involved with Whitney Houston.

  • Robyn Crawford

    Robyn Crawford and Whitney Houston's relationship began when they were teenagers and continued throughout the entirety of Houston's life. Crawford was Houston's closest confidante, and there have long been rumors that their relationship was more than platonic. However, the true nature of their relationship remains unclear, as both women maintained that they were just friends. In 2019, Crawford released a memoir, A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston, sharing intimate details of their lives together and shedding new light on their relationship.

    Initially a close friend and personal assistant to Whitney Houston, Robyn Crawford worked closely with the singer throughout her career, helping to shape and protect her image. Crawford has managed to maintain a relatively private life outside of her connection to Houston, with her memoir serving as a rare glimpse into her personal thoughts and experiences.