Paramedics arriving at the Beverly Hilton found the singer's body.
While the cause of death is still unknown, Houston's publicist Kristen Foster has confirmed the sad news.
Houston had been scheduled to attend the annual pre-Grammy party of music mogul Clive Davis, who discovered her, tonight and had attended rehearsals for the event earlier this week. The party was still held, and Davis asked for a moment of silence as they dedicated the evening to Houston.
Recording Academy president Neil Portnow said at the pre-Grammy gala that Sunday's Grammy ceremony would include "something appropriate" in tribute to the singer, including a performance by Jennifer Hudson. "What's beautiful about Whitney is the legacy she left."
"Whitney always hit you with that beautiful smile, that incredible energy" said Diddy, who also attended Davis' pre-Grammy gathering. "Whitney Houston had the greatest voice in the world. We truly lost an angel."
The Recording Academy released the following statement on Saturday evening:
Six-time GRAMMY(r) winner Whitney Houston was one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades. Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice.
Houston, the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston and cousin of singer Dionne Warwick, was known for her string of hits in the Eighties and Nineties, including "The Greatest Love of All," "I Will Always Love You," "How Will I Know" and "I'm Every Woman." She also had an acting career, appearing in The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale.
In addition to her six Grammys, Houston also won two Emmys and 22 American Music Awards. Her rendition of the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 1991 is often considered the standard by which other versions are judged.
She was married to R&B singer Bobby Brown from 1992 to 2007, and the couple had one daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, born in 1993. The couple appeared in the reality TV series Being Bobby Brown in 2005.
In recent years, Houston was more known for her tumultuous personal life and struggles with addiction.
Reaction to her death began pouring in throughout media outlets, including Twitter.
Mariah Carey released the following statement:
Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.
“Whitney was family to me," Smokey Robinson told CNN. "I will always love her. She is one of the greatest voices in the history of music."
