Mariah Carey is known for her vocal range and melismatic style. She has influenced popular music, broke racial barriers, and holds numerous records. With over 220 million records sold worldwide, she is one of the best-selling music artists. Carey has won multiple Grammy Awards and holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles by a solo artist.
A day after graduating from high school, Mariah Carey relocates to New York City to kickstart her singing career.
Mariah Carey was born on March 27, 1969. She is a renowned American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her impressive vocal range and chart-topping hits.
Mariah Carey is born in Long Island, New York.
At the age of 18, Mariah Carey signs a record deal with Columbia Records after taking voice lessons since the age of four.
In 1987, Mariah Carey graduated from high school in Greenlawn, New York, before embarking on her journey to pursue a successful singing career in New York City.
In 1988, Mariah Carey meets Tommy Mottola at a party, marking the beginning of their relationship.
On January 11, 1990, Mariah Carey released her debut album titled 'Mariah Carey'. The album produced hit singles such as 'Vision of Love,' 'Love Takes Time,' 'Someday,' and 'I Don't Wanna Cry,' all of which reached the number one position on the charts.
Mariah Carey releases her first single, the ballad 'Vision Of Love,' which later climbs to #1 in America, setting her on track to become the best-selling female artist of the '90s.
Mariah Carey makes her national TV debut, performing 'Vision Of Love' on The Arsenio Hall Show, which later becomes a chart-topping hit.
Mariah Carey's debut single 'Vision Of Love' enters the Hot 100 at #73 and later goes on to reach #1, along with her next four singles.
On June 5, 1990, Mariah Carey made her first public appearance at the 1990 NBA Finals, singing 'America the Beautiful'. Her performance included a notable whistle note towards the song's conclusion, which garnered praise and attention.
Mariah Carey releases her self-titled debut album, which sells 9 million copies in America, with all four of its singles hitting #1.
Mariah Carey lands her first #1 Hot 100 hit with her debut single 'Vision Of Love,' marking the beginning of her string of chart-toppers in the '90s.
On January 17, 1991, Mariah Carey released her second album titled 'Emotions'. The album featured the hit single 'Emotions' which reached the number one spot on the charts. Other singles like 'Can't Let Go' and 'Make It Happen' also achieved Top 5 positions.
On September 17, 1991, Mariah Carey released her second studio album titled 'Emotions'. The album featured the title track as the lead single, which became her fifth chart-topping song on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite receiving praise for its content, 'Emotions' did not reach the same commercial success as her debut album.
Mariah Carey hits #1 in America with 'Emotions,' the title track to her second album, becoming the first artist to achieve this with their first five singles.
Mariah Carey releases an MTV Unplugged EP featuring a cover of the Jackson 5 song, 'I'll Be There'.
On March 16, 1992, Mariah Carey performed an intimate seven-song show at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York for MTV Unplugged. The performance, which included a cover of the Jackson 5's 'I'll Be There', showcased Carey's vocal prowess and was highly acclaimed.
On August 31, 1993, Mariah Carey released her album 'Music Box'. The album, produced in collaboration with Walter Afanasieff, received mixed reviews from critics. Despite the reviews, 'Music Box' became one of Carey's best-selling albums with worldwide sales exceeding 28 million copies.
Mariah Carey releases a holiday album titled Merry Christmas. The single 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' becomes a hit.
On November 1, 1994, Mariah Carey released her Christmas album 'Merry Christmas'. The album featured the iconic holiday hit 'All I Want for Christmas Is You', which has become a seasonal classic and achieved significant commercial success.
Mariah Carey's 'Fantasy' becomes the second single to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top spot for eight weeks.
Mariah Carey's duet with Boyz II Men, 'One Sweet Day,' hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and holds the top spot for a record 16 weeks.
For the 16th consecutive week, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's 'One Sweet Day' is #1 in the US.
Mariah Carey's album 'Butterfly' showcased a new musical direction with heavy elements of hip-hop and R&B. The album received critical acclaim for its mature themes and Carey's evolving vocal style.
On March 5, 1998, Mariah Carey divorced Tommy Mottola.
The very first VH1 Divas special debuts as a benefit concert for VH1's Save The Music Foundation, featuring headliners like Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.
Retailers in the US are hit with a wave of superstar releases on 'Super Tuesday,' including Mariah Carey's #1's album.
Mariah Carey released her album Rainbow in November 1999, which marked a departure from her previous collaborations and featured new producers. The album had successful singles like 'Heartbreaker' and 'Thank God I Found You', but faced challenges with her record label and lower sales compared to her previous works.
Mariah Carey makes her acting debut in the romantic comedy 'The Bachelor,' playing a temperamental opera singer.
On April 9, 2000, Mariah Carey took part in a VH1 Divas concert as a tribute to Diana Ross. This event showcased Carey's talent and contribution to the music industry.
In 2001, Mariah Carey's public behavior became erratic, leading to rumors of a breakdown. She posted concerning messages online, appeared on TRL in a t-shirt, and exhibited rambling conversations.
Mariah Carey's rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Super Bowl XXXVI was described as stunning by Billboard, showcasing her vocal prowess and talent.
In July 2001, Mariah Carey was hospitalized for a 'physical and emotional collapse' while preparing to promote her film 'Glitter.' She later signed a new record deal with Universal Music Group's Island/Def Jam Records in May 2002.
In July 2001, Mariah Carey experienced a physical and emotional breakdown, leading to erratic behavior and distressing messages on her website. She made a memorable appearance on Total Request Live, showcasing her struggles in the public eye.
On July 26, 2001, Mariah Carey was hospitalized due to exhaustion and a physical and emotional breakdown. This event marked a challenging period in her life and career, leading to a hiatus from the public eye.
Mariah Carey's album Glitter, which was also a film soundtrack, faced commercial failure due to setbacks and delays. Both the album and film were released on September 11, 2001.
The film 'Glitter,' starring Mariah Carey as a singer looking to make it big, is released in theaters, earning Carey a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress.
MTV Cribs tours Mariah Carey's New York penthouse in a special one-hour episode, showcasing her luxurious lifestyle.
On January 17, 2002, Mariah Carey signed with Island/Def Jam and established her own label, MonarC Music.
At the 22nd Golden Raspberry Awards, Mariah Carey takes home her first Razzie as Worst Actress for her role in 'Glitter.'
On December 3, 2002, Mariah Carey released her ninth album, Charmbracelet, which unfortunately did not perform well commercially.
In a 2003 MTV2 online poll, Mariah Carey was ranked as the greatest singer of the past twenty years, earning her the title of 'Songbird Supreme' by the Guinness World Records.
Alison Carey, Mariah Carey's sister, is arrested for prostitution after offering sex to an undercover officer. She has struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for years and has a turbulent relationship with her family.
Mariah Carey makes an appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards held in Miami.
During the week of September 25, 2005, Mariah Carey became the first woman to occupy the first two spots atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart with 'We Belong Together' and 'Shake It Off'. This achievement marked a significant milestone in her career.
Mariah Carey wins Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for 'The Emancipation of Mimi' at the Vibe Awards.
'All I Want For Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey becomes the first ringtone certified Gold for sales of over 500,000.
Mariah Carey releases her eleventh album, E=MC², which debuts at #1 on the Billboard 200 and sells 463,000 copies in its first week, marking the biggest opening week of her career.
On January 20, 2009, Mariah Carey performed her hit song 'Hero' at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball after Barack Obama was sworn in as the first African-American president of the United States. Her performance was well-received.
On July 7, 2009, Mariah Carey, alongside Trey Lorenz, performed a rendition of The Jackson 5 song 'I'll Be There' at the memorial service for Michael Jackson. Her heartfelt performance paid tribute to the late King of Pop.
Carey's twelfth studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, was released. The album received mixed reviews with some critics praising it as her most interesting album in a decade, while others criticized her vocal performances. Commercially, it debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.
Mariah Carey releases her twelfth album, Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel, which debuts at #3 on the Billboard 200 and sells 168,000 copies in its first week.
The Lee Daniels film 'Precious' debuts in the US, featuring Mariah Carey in a supporting role.
Carey embarked on her seventh concert tour, Angels Advocate Tour, which visited the United States and Canada. The tour ended on September 26, 2010. A planned remix album of Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, titled Angels Advocate, was eventually cancelled.
On November 1, 2010, she released her thirteenth album, Merry Christmas II You, which is her second Christmas album. The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 and sold 56,000 copies in its first week.
Carey released her second Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You, which debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The album included a remix of 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' and featured collaborations with Tony Bennett and Justin Bieber.
On November 29, 2010, she launched her jewelry and shoe line on HSN (Home Shopping Network), with her husband Nick making a call into the show.
She tells Barbara Walters about playing a live version of her song 'Fantasy' during childbirth for her twins to hear applause as they were born.
Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon welcome twins: daughter Monroe and son Moroccan.
Carey performed at New York City's Gotham Hall, her first performance since her pregnancy. She also sang at a fundraiser for US President Barack Obama and debuted a new song titled 'Bring It On Home' in support of Obama's re-election campaign.
She appears in the film The Butler as Cecil’s mother, alongside Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.
She appears in the film The Butler as Cecil’s mother, alongside Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.
After months of speculation, Nick Cannon confirms the separation from Mariah Carey in August 2014.
While performing at the Makuhari Messe Arena in Tokyo, Mariah Carey ad libs during the song “Don’t Explain” by Billie Holiday, saying, “I know you cheated, motherfucker.”
Nick Cannon files for divorce from Mariah Carey after six years of marriage.
During a holiday concert at NYC's Beacon Theater, Mariah Carey loses a shoe but continues performing with it in her hand. She later sings 'Hero' while visibly crying.
In January 2015, Mariah Carey delivers an emotional performance, possibly during one of her concerts.
Carey left Universal Music Group's Def Jam Recordings to reunite with L.A. Reid and Sony Music via Epic Records. She also announced her #1 to Infinity residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and released a greatest hits compilation album.
Mariah Carey joins James Corden for the first installment of Carpool Karaoke.
On March 15, 2016, Mariah Carey announced the filming of Mariah's World, a docu-series for the E! network showcasing her Sweet Sweet Fantasy tour and wedding planning process.
On December 31, 2016, Mariah Carey's performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve faced technical difficulties with her in-ear monitors malfunctioning, leading to a widely covered 'performance train wreck'.
On February 3, 2017, Mariah Carey released the single 'I Don't' featuring YG.
On November 14, 2017, Mariah Carey's animated Christmas film, 'Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You', was released direct-to-video, featuring an original song called 'Lil' Snowman'.
On December 31, 2017, Mariah Carey returned to perform on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, marking a 'made-for-television act of pop culture redemption' after previous technical difficulties.
Thanks to the hashtag #JusticeForGlitter, Mariah Carey's 2001 album 'Glitter' climbs to #1 on the iTunes US Albums chart.
On November 16, 2018, Mariah Carey released her album 'Caution', which received universal acclaim from critics and debuted at number five on the Billboard 200.
On August 25, 2019, Mariah Carey signed a lucrative $12 million contract with the Walkers crisps brand as part of their Christmas campaign, showcasing her influence in the advertising world.
On November 1, 2019, Mariah Carey re-released her holiday album 'Merry Christmas' for its 25th anniversary, including live performances and additional tracks.
On November 24, 2019, Mariah Carey's iconic holiday song 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' won three Guinness World Records for its achievements and popularity.
'All I Want For Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey goes to #1 in America for the first time, 25 years after its initial release.
Mariah Carey becomes the first artist to top the Hot 100 in four different decades with 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'
On March 27, 2020, Mariah Carey celebrated her 50th birthday by working on new music in the studio. The iconic singer marked the milestone with gratitude and creativity.
On September 29, 2020, Mariah Carey released her memoir 'The Meaning of Mariah Carey,' sharing personal stories and experiences.
In October 2020, Mariah Carey released the album 'The Rarities,' featuring 32 tracks of rare and unreleased songs.
Mariah Carey's 2020 Christmas special, Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special, premiered on December 4, 2020, on Apple TV+ along with a soundtrack.
On November 5, 2021, Carey released 'Fall in Love at Christmas', which features Khalid and Kirk Franklin.
On January 12, 2022, Carey announced a children's picture book titled The Christmas Princess, co-written with Michaela Angela Davis and illustrated by Fuuji Takashi.
Carey served as a co-producer of Some Like It Hot on Broadway, a musical based on the 1959 comedy film Some Like It Hot. Carey's show premiered on December 11, 2022, at the Shubert Theatre in Manhattan, New York.
On September 8, 2023, Carey released a deluxe version of Music Box in celebration of the album's thirtieth anniversary.
On November 19, 2023, Carey was awarded the Billboard Music Award for Chart Achievement.