It's a good time to be Mariah Carey!
The musical icon, 56, may have wrapped up her greatest time of year, aka Christmas time, but she's coming into 2026 having been named MusiCares Person of the Year for her work as a humanitarian.
And on February 6, she will perform at the opening ceremony for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, already having touched down in Italy (in true Mariah style, of course).
© Getty ImagesBut how did we get here? The singer's journey to "pop legend" status began nearly 40 years ago, with the release of her self-titled debut back in 1990. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Take a journey down memory lane through Mariah's transformation over her 36-year career in photos…
© Getty Images1990: The debut
With the help of producer (and future husband) Tommy Mottola, Mariah released Mariah Carey in 1990. The album was an immediate smash, selling over 15 million worldwide, winning two Grammys, and earning her first four number one hits.
© Getty Images1993: Pop superstar
After mixed reception for follow-up Emotions, she turned to a more pop-friendly and adult contemporary sound for the albums Music Box, Merry Christmas and Daydream, cementing her as one of the decade's biggest sellers.
© Getty Images1998: Taking control
Mariah began taking more control over her image and sound amid disputes with her record label, Columbia. Butterfly and Rainbow, her two next albums, both explored mature themes and influences from the world of hip-hop and R&B, with Butterfly in particular receiving critical acclaim.
© Getty Images2002: The low lows
After a record deal gone awry with Virgin Records, who bought her out for an unprecedented $80 million, Mariah began experiencing several setbacks in her personal life due to struggles with her mental health. Her work suffered as well, with the long-gestating Glitter film and soundtrack receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews, and its follow-up Charmbracelet similarly also making little impact. However…
© Getty Images2005: The emancipation
With the release of 2005's The Emancipation of Mimi and its lead single, "We Belong Together," Mariah's popularity skyrocketed, earning her more acclaim, her best sales in years, and three Grammys. 2008's E=MC² and her appearance in the Oscar-nominated film Precious reinstated her place in pop culture.
© Getty Images2011: Motherhood
In 2011, Mariah and her then-husband Nick Cannon welcomed their twins, Moroccan and Monroe. "Dem Twins" have since become a significant part of the "Heartbreaker" singer's current public persona, each stepping into their own in the public eye in the years since.
Her commercial success experienced ups and downs during the 2010s, including several albums that made a moderate impact, concert residencies, and a one-season stint on the American Idol judging panel.
© Getty Images2019: Queen of Christmas
2019 was the first year that Mariah's eternal holiday ditty, "All I Want for Christmas is You," hit the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100. It has since returned to the apex of the charts every year and has become one of the best selling singles of all time worldwide.
© Getty Images2026: The present
Mariah continues to expand on her "Queen of Christmas" legacy with regular jokes around the holiday season about her status and an annual themed residency as well. Her 16th studio album, Here for It All, was released in September 2025, becoming a top-20 hit and even winning her a VMA.
