Thelma Houston And Whitney Houston are both American singer, songwriter and actress. Their share the same surname so it makes fans wonder if they are related by blood.
Thelma Houston is an American singer and actress best known for her 1977 hit single “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” which won her a Grammy Award.
Highlights
- Despite having the same last name and being well-known singers, Thelma Houston and Whitney Houston are unrelated.
- Both share Afro-American ethnicity but have different family backgrounds.
- Whitney’s ancestry includes Dutch and Native American heritage, while Thelma was born in Leland, Mississippi.
She began her career in the 1960s and has continued to perform and record music over the decades.
On the other hand, Whitney Houston was an iconic American singer and actress who won many awards, including multiple Grammys, and starred in films like “The Bodyguard.”
However, Whitney tragically passed away in 2012.
Because of their same surname, people often speculate how is Thelma Houston related to Whitney Houston. Here’s everything we know about them.
Unrelated Houstons: Clarifying the Misconception between Thelma and Whitney’s Familial Connection
Thelma Houston and Whitney Houston, despite sharing the same last name, are not related to each other in any familial way.
Thelma is a singer who began her career in the 1960s by performing gospel music, later released albums on Motown Records and had hits on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart.
Meanwhile, Whitney was a well-known pop and R&B singer who had a successful career from the late 1980s through the early 2000s.
Although they share a common passion for music, there is no biological connection between Thelma and Whitney Houston.
To dispel any misconceptions about Whitney being Thelma’s sister, it’s important to note that Thelma grew up with her three sisters, none of whom bear the name Whitney.
Also, an article from the Press Democrat explicitly states,
“And by the way, if you’re wondering how Thelma is related to ’80s pop star Whitney Houston — she’s not.”
This fact further proves that they are not related but separate individuals with unique family backgrounds.
Their careers and achievements are entirely separate; any similarity ends with their last name and contributions to the music industry.
Thelma and Whitney Houston Share Afro-American Ethnicity But Have Different Origins
Whitney Houston was born to African-American parents and is believed to have Dutch and Native American ancestry.
She was a first cousin of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick. Her godmother was singer Darlene Love, and her honorary aunt was Aretha Franklin.
On the other hand, Thelma Houston was also born to African American family on May 7, 1946, in Leland, Mississippi.
She has three siblings, and her family relocated to California during her childhood.
She initiated her music career by singing gospel with different artists before recording her debut secular song, “Coat of Many Colors.”
Thelma has been married three times and has two children, Kimberly and Rodney.
Hence, these above facts prove that they are not biologically related but separate individuals with unique families and origins.
Additional Information
- In January 2009, Thelma was asked to lead President Barack Obama’s formal inaugural dinner at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., alongside her pals Cyndi Lauper and Melissa Etheridge.
- Whitney Houston sold over 200 million albums, singles, and videos worldwide during her time with Arista Records, setting a standard for superstardom that will never be surpassed.
- Whitney Houston has an estimated net worth of $250 million, whereas Thelma Houston has $2 million.
