Whitney Houston. Photo: PD.

Iconic singer Whitney Houston tragically died Saturday at the age of 48. A unique fact not widely known about the singer is that she visited Israel in 2003 for a “spiritual retreat” and was named honorary citizen of Dimona together with then-husband Bobby Brown.

The couple had visited the Hebrew Israelite community in Dimona, whose residents are about 2,000 African-American converts to Judaism. During the same visit, they also met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem, followed by a tour of Jewish and Christian holy sites, reported Israel Hayom. “I’ve never felt like this in any other country. I feel at home, I feel wonderful,” Houston had said during the visit.

While her talent has always been recognized, the singer’s life was in turmoil from a turbulent marriage and drug use. No cause of death has been released.