Whitney Houston’s debut album topped the Billboard 200 for 14 non-consecutive weeks.
Released in February 1985, Whitney Houston had a slow start: it first entered the U.S. album chart at number 166. The album climbed gradually as “You Give Good Love,” “Saving All My Love for You” and “How Will I Know” became major hits. After 55 weeks on the chart, it finally reached number one in March 1986.
Its 14-week reign was especially notable because the album was a debut and because Houston became the first female artist to finish a year as Billboard’s top-ranked album. Readers sometimes confuse this record with her second album, Whitney, which debuted at number one and stayed there for 11 consecutive weeks. The debut album’s total Billboard 200 run reached 162 weeks.