Mariah Carey Height, Age, Family, Career and Biography

Mariah Carey stands as America’s most successful female artist with 19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, surpassing Elvis Presley’s record of 17 chart-toppers. Born March 27, 1969, in Huntington, New York, the 56-year-old American singer-songwriter continues to captivate audiences with her five-octave vocal range and signature whistle register. 

Known as the “Songbird Supreme,” Carey has sold over 220 million records worldwide and earned the title “Queen of Christmas” through her holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Mariah Carey Quick Bio/Wiki

Facts	Details
Full Name	Mariah Carey
Birth Date	March 27, 1969
Age	56 years old (as of 2025)
Height	5 feet 7 inches (170.2 cm)
Birthplace	Huntington, New York
Profession	Singer-songwriter, producer, actress
Children	Monroe Cannon, Moroccan Cannon (twins)

Early Life and Origins

Mariah Carey’s multicultural heritage reflects American diversity through her family background. Her father, Alfred Roy Carey, worked as an aeronautical engineer and brought African-American and Afro-Venezuelan ancestry to the family. Her mother, Patricia Hickey, was a former mezzo-soprano opera singer of Irish descent who recognized Mariah’s musical gifts early.

The Carey family name carries immigrant history through Mariah’s Venezuelan grandfather Roberto Núñez. He adopted the surname Carey after emigrating to New York, believing a British Isles name would provide better opportunities. Patricia chose not to give Mariah a middle name, believing “Mariah Carey” would serve perfectly as her stage name.

Mariah’s musical talents emerged at age three when she demonstrated perfect pitch by correctly singing her mother’s operatic cues in Italian during rehearsals for “Rigoletto.” As Patricia noted in interviews, “From the time Mariah was a tiny girl, she sang on true pitch; she was able to hear sound and duplicate it exactly” (IMDb).

Mariah Carey Physical Characteristics and Public Image

Standing at 5 feet 7 inches (170.2 cm), Mariah Carey has built her diva persona around strategic fashion choices. She said, “I don’t know why, but everybody thinks that I’m short. When they see me for the first time, women are always surprised to be obliged to raise their head.” Her consistent use of luxury high heels from brands like Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and Saint Laurent has become integral to her image.

Carey admits to Billboard magazine, “I can’t wear flat shoes. My feet repel them,” reflecting her commitment to maintaining her glamour persona. She has an extreme aversion to overhead lighting, calling elevator lighting “toxic” in various interviews. The pop diva maintains strict control over her image presentation, preferring to be photographed only from her right side.

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Vocal Mastery and Technical Abilities

Mariah Carey’s five-octave vocal range spans from her lowest recorded F2 note in “My All” to her highest G#7 during live performances of “Emotions” in 1991. Her signature whistle register, most famously displayed in songs like “Emotions,” has been called one of the most vocally demanding techniques in popular music by vocal experts.

Celebrity vocal coach Mark Baxter confirmed to Super Prof that he’s heard Carey sing past the highest note on a piano. Her breath control is evident in “Lead the Way,” where she sustains a note for approximately 21 seconds. Rolling Stone ranked her as the fifth-greatest singer of all time in 2023, acknowledging her lasting influence on the melismatic singing style.

Carey overcame early vocal challenges, including smoking from ages 12 to 18. As confirmed by Today News, “The two lowest octaves are probably there because of the smoking,” crediting quitting with helping restore her full vocal range.

Mariah Career Trajectory and Professional Milestones

Early Career and Industry Breakthrough

Mariah Carey’s path to stardom began with multiple jobs including hat/coat-checker, hostess, and waitress. She was fired from most positions due to her focus on music rather than her day jobs. Her breakthrough came through working as a backup singer for freestyle artist Brenda K. Starr, which led to her discovery by Columbia Records.

Carey completed over 500 hours of beauty school training and considered hairdressing as a backup career. She graduated from Harborfields High School in Greenlawn, New York, in 1987, earning the nickname “Mirage” due to frequent absences for demo singing work. Before success, she slept on a one-bedroom Manhattan apartment floor with four roommates.

Record Label Journey and Contracts

Carey’s record label history reflects industry evolution and her growing artistic control. After initial success with Columbia Records, she signed an $80 million deal with Virgin Records in 2001. The commercial failure of “Glitter” led Virgin to buy out her contract for $28 million. She subsequently signed with Island/Def Jam Records for a reported $21-24 million deal.

Chart-Breaking Success and Records

Mariah Carey holds the record for most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles by a solo artist with 19 chart-toppers. Her collaboration “One Sweet Day” with Boyz II Men held the record for 16 consecutive weeks at number one. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has generated over $60 million in royalties as of 2020, according to Forbes.

Mariah Carey Personal Relationships and Family Life

Mariah Carey’s first marriage to music executive Tommy Mottola lasted from 1993 to 1998. She described this period as controlling in her 2020 memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey, referring to their Bedford, New York mansion as “Sing Sing.” The mansion was sold to Nelson Peltz for $20.5 million in 1998.

Her second marriage to comedian Nick Cannon (2008-2016) produced fraternal twins Monroe and Moroccan, born April 30, 2011. Regarding co-parenting, Carey told People Magazine, “I kind of feel like it’s best if I don’t talk about him, because he can just be in his own world.” Following her engagement to James Packer (2016) and relationship with Bryan Tanaka (2016-2023), recent reports link her to musician Anderson Paak.

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Health, Wellness, and Personal Challenges

In 2018, Mariah Carey revealed her bipolar II disorder diagnosis from 2001 to People magazine, stating, “I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me.” She became an advocate for mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of therapy and medication in managing her condition.

Carey’s approach to diet raised health concerns, “My diet, you would hate it. All you eat is Norwegian salmon and capers every day. That’s it,” as reported by People. She maintains that staying in shape is “90 percent diet” and avoids gyms due to their lighting.

Cultural Impact and Philanthropy

Carey co-founded Camp Mariah with the Fresh Air Fund in 1994, providing arts education for inner-city youth. She received the Congressional Award’s 1999 Horizon Award for contributing to expanding opportunities for Americans. Her influence on vocal performance and the melismatic singing style continues to shape contemporary artists.

Business Ventures and Financial Success

Carey’s business portfolio includes real estate investments and luxury assets. According to widespread media reports from the mid-2000s (including Yahoo Entertainment), Carey’s legs were reportedly insured for up to $1 billion, while her body was said to be insured for $10 million during the filming of Glitter. She purchased Marilyn Monroe’s white lacquered baby grand piano for $600,000 at auction in 1999.

Carey’s estimated net worth of $350 million as of (Celebrity Net Worth 2025) comes from multiple revenue streams including album sales, touring, residency performances, and royalties. Her Las Vegas residency “Merry Christmas One and All!” continues generating substantial income. 

Current Status and Legacy

As of 2025, Mariah Carey continues her Las Vegas residency while maintaining an active social media presence. Her 2020 memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey reached number one on The New York Times Best Seller list. She told Harper’s Bazaar, “I don’t allow myself to age or even acknowledge time,” reflecting her philosophy on maintaining relevance.

Carey has appeared in films including “Precious” (2009) and “The Butler” (2013), and served as an American Idol judge in 2013. Her continued influence spans multiple generations through streaming platforms and annual Christmas chart dominance.

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FAQ’s About Mariah Carey

How tall is Mariah Carey? 

Mariah Carey is 5 feet 7 inches (170.2 cm) tall.

How old is Mariah Carey in 2025? 

Mariah Carey is 56 years old as of 2025.

How many children does Mariah Carey have? 

Mariah Carey has twins, Monroe and Moroccan Cannon, born April 30, 2011.

What is Mariah Carey’s vocal range? 

Mariah Carey possesses a five-octave vocal range with signature whistle register.

How many number-one hits does Mariah Carey have? 

Mariah Carey has 19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.

What health condition does Mariah Carey have? 

Mariah Carey has bipolar II disorder, which she publicly revealed in 2018.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and reputable sources such as Rolling Stone, People, Forbes, and Billboard. While we strive for accuracy, some details (such as net worth and insurance figures) are estimates or reports reflecting as of 2025.