Aaliyah (16 Jan. 1979–25 Aug. 2001), singer, actress, and model, was born Aaliyah Dana Haughton to Michael Haughton (1951-2012), a warehouse worker, and Diane Haughton in Brooklyn, New York.

Understanding the Context

In 2001, 22-year-old R&B singer Aaliyah died in a plane crash over the Bahamas. Here’s everything to know about how Aaliyah died and what caused the tragic plane crash that killed her. Aaliyah's Death: Revisiting the Plane Crash That Killed the Singer 24 ... Aaliyah made her dreams come true.

Key Insights

At 22, she not only had a very successful recording career but also established herself as a motion picture actress and an accomplished business woman.... Aaliyah's short-lived, but brilliant career, was a true success story for a young African-American woman who went against all odds to be herself in an industry where originality is scarce. Aaliyah was only 22 when she was killed in a 2001 plane crash, but the "Try Again" singer's star power and long list of accomplishments belied her age. Timbaland’s team scored the film with a modern interpretation of Aaliyah’s sound. Aaliyah collaborators Tre Major, Eric Ferrell and Derek Lee consulted on hair, makeup and styling, respectively.

Final Thoughts

Biography Aaliyah Dana Haughton ( – ) was a celebrated American singer, actress, and model, often dubbed the “ Princess of R&B.”