She’s been named the "Songbird Supreme" by the Guinness World Records Association, has won numerous music awards, including 5 Grammys, and has more number one US hits than any other solo performer. In fact, her haul of 19 singles in the top slot is just one short of the iconic Beatles' record. So when did it all start for Mariah Carey?

Mariah Has Music In Her Blood

Named for the song “They Call The Wind Mariah” from the musical Paint Your Wagon, it was almost predestined that the songstress would have music in her blood. Growing up, the young girl with a five-octave range and famous “whistle register” kept her songs secret from her mother, a vocal coach who also sang in the New York City Opera.

When Mariah burst onto the music scene in 1990, she created a frenzy.

Her Debut Album Took The Music World By Storm

The singer’s eponymous debut album sold 15 million copies and was certified nine-time platinum. In addition, Mariah stayed at the top of the charts for 11 weeks.

With four songs from the album going to number one, she equaled a record set by The Jackson 5 way back in 1969.

Her Next Album Broke The Long-Standing Record

Mariah’s next album, Emotions, sold less than her debut offering, at eight million copies. But the title song going to the number one slot knocked the Jackson 5 off the spot they'd held for an incredible 22 years: Her fifth Number One hit led to her becoming the first new artist to have her first five singles reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

That was nothing compared to what was still to come.

Which Mariah Carey Album Earned The Most Money?

In 1993, Mariah released what would go on to become her biggest money-spinner. Not only that, Music Box sold an incredible 28 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. The album was certified diamond status by The Recording Industry Association of America.

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Mariah had become one of the top-selling female artists in the world, joining the ranks of Whitney Houston and Madonna.

Fans loved the fact that other than the “Without You” cover, Mariah had co-written all the tracks. She didn't drop the ball with her next offering, Daydream, which sold 25 million copies.

The 'Songbird Supreme' Also Holds Another Record

Combining her talents with the vocal harmony group Boyz II Men, Mariah managed to grab yet another record. One Sweet Day, which she co-wrote with the band, stayed in the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for an incredible 16 weeks, becoming the longest-running number-one song in US chart history.

Billboard has listed it as the "song of the decade" and the ninth most popular song of all time.

Since setting out, the singer has released 28 albums: fifteen studio, two soundtracks, eight compilations, two extended plays, and one remix. Mariah also has more recognizable Christmas hits than any other artist alive today.

She Deserves The Title 'Queen Of Christmas'

Adding to her many other accolades, Mariah has also become the first artist to have a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 across four decades with the same song.

All I Want For Christmas is played globally every year during the festive season, and has netted the singer over $60 Million.

Mariah Is Still In The Limelight

Although her last number one hit was in 2007, Mariah has stayed in the limelight in other ways. Despite her disastrous experience with the autobiographical film Glitter (2001), Mariah has returned to acting and has received many accolades for her work, which includes appearances in Tennessee (2008), and a critically acclaimed performance, in the feature film Precious (2009).

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While Mariah didn't enjoy her stint on American Idols, and her involvement didn't extend beyond one season, she is one of the highest-paid judges in the history of the show.

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She’s also branched into writing. Her memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, co-written with Michaela Angela Davis, became a number-one New York Times Best Seller after its first week of release.

In January 2022, she announced a new picture book titled The Christmas Princess, again co-written with Michaela Angela Davis.

Mariah's Album Sales Are On A Par With Many Other Greats

Her record sales equal the numbers sold by Queen, Eminem, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Taylor Swift, and the Rolling Stones. With so many album sales, it isn't surprising that Mariah's net worth is estimated to be around $520 million.

One thing is certain, Mariah’s here to stay.

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