6 Facts About Aaliyah

Though she was only 22 when she died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001, Aaliyah accomplished more than most people could in a century. She was a true triple threat – a singer, dancer and actress – who was poised to become a major star. Her three albums have sold over 32 million copies worldwide.

Here are some facts on the singer who left the world too soon:

Aaliyah was secretly married to R. Kelly

R. Kelly produced Aaliyah’s first album, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number in 1994 when she was just 14. The title proved apt. Rumors spread that the duo were married. Both vehemently denied that they were anything more than friends. In the mid-1990s, when the Internet was in its infancy, it was far easier for celebrities to keep secrets. However, in January 1995 the magazine Vibe published a copy of their marriage certificate. Aaliyah who was 15 at the time of the wedding, listed her age as 18. R. Kelly accurately listed his age as 25. Since she was too young to get married without her parents’ permission, the marriage was illegal and was annulled. Aaliyah never spoke publicly about her marriage, but after the news broke, she severed all personal and professional ties with R. Kelly.

Her career was a family affair

Aaliyah became successful at such a young age in part because of her family’s connections to the music industry. Her uncle Barry Hankerson was a music executive who founded Blackstreet Records and was married to music legend Gladys Knight. When she was just 11, Aaliyah performed with Knight for a week at Bally’s Las Vegas Casino. Hankerson also managed R. Kelly and introduced Aaliyah to him. Throughout her career, she was managed by her mother Diane Haughton. Her cousin Jomo Hankerson executive produced her albums.