Dionne Warwick

Graduated from East Orange High School in East Orange, New Jersey in 1959.

Although Warwick had a handful of Top Ten hits during the 1960s, many of her songs were not given the chance to shine. Such songs include "Any Old Time of the Day," "Here Where There Is Love," "The Wine Is Young," "Check Out Time," "Wives and Lovers," "Only Love Can Break a Heart," "Knowing When to Leave," "(They Long to Be) Close to You," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," "Let Me Be Lonely," "Forever My Love," "In the Land of Make Believe," "What the World Needs Now Is Love," "The Look of Love," and "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head".

In 1962 she recorded "Make It Easy On Yourself" for Scepter Records, but was angered when she discovered that the label was going to release Jerry Butler's version of it and not hers. To mollify her, the label said that they would have songwriters Hal David and Burt Bacharach write a song especially for her. She snapped, "Don't make me over, man", meaning "Don't try to con me". Bacharach and David thought that phrase would make a great title for a song, and wrote "Don't Make Me Over" for her, which became her debut song and was a major hit.

She added an "e" to the end of her first name in 1971. She did so on the advice of her astrologer. She removed the "e" in 1975, saying it had been a mistake.

Had a 12-year relationship with actor Gianni Russo best known for appearing as Carlo Rizzi, Connie Corleone's husband, in The Godfather (1972).

Attended Karen Carpenter's funeral on Tuesday, February 8, 1983. The services were held at United Methodist Church in Downey, California.

Celebrity spokesperson for the Psychic Friends Network and hostess for its infomercials in the 1990s.

Arrested on misdemeanor charge 12 May, 2002 at Miami International Airport for carrying 11 marijuana cigarettes, found in empty lipstick container, less than 5 grams of marijuana. A friend told reporters Warwick uses marijuana to fight effects of glaucoma. On 5 June 2002, AP reports that charges against Warwick were dropped after Miami-Dade County judge agreed to plea bargain deal, which included Warwick's completion of drug treatment program. She did not appear in court, but in a statement said, "To this day, I am puzzled about exactly what happened at the Miami International Airport. But through the grace of God, I can now put this unpleasant chapter behind me." Her plea also included her donation of $250 to a group which supports children born with HIV. Warwick also agreed to make an anti-drug public service announcement directed at youth.

February 25th 2003 - European tour and will be out of the States until April 2003.

Attended Luther Vandross' funeral in New York, USA. She read Vandross' obituary and a letter from Gladys Knight, who was unable to attend the service. [July 2005]

Dionne's younger sister, Dee Dee Warwick, died Saturday October 19, 2008 at a New Jersey nursing home, with her elder sister by her side, after having been in poor health for several months, according to a family spokesman. She was 63.

She and her cousin, Whitney Houston were inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2013 for their services to arts and entertainment.