Mariah Carey: Her Life, Diagnosis, Kids, and Relationships
Few artists have shaped pop music quite like Mariah Carey. With a five‑octave range and a record 19 Billboard Hot 100 number‑one singles, she’s been a constant presence since the early ’90s — but behind the glitter lies a bipolar II diagnosis, two kids, and very public relationship twists.
Record sales: over 220 million records worldwide ·
Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles: 19 (most for a solo artist) ·
Grammy Awards won: 5 ·
Children: 2 (Moroccan and Monroe) ·
Diagnosed with: Bipolar II disorder (publicly confirmed in 2018)
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder (2018) (People magazine (leading celebrity news outlet))
- Underwent therapy and treatment (The New York Times (major U.S. newspaper))
- Spoke openly to destigmatize mental health (ABC News (network news division))
- Mother: Patricia Hickey (Irish descent) (IMDb (film database))
- Father: Alfred Roy Carey (African-American/Venezuelan) (Britannica (encyclopedia))
- Twins: Moroccan and Monroe Cannon with ex-husband Nick Cannon (Biography.com (authoritative biography site))
- Married to Nick Cannon (2008–2016) (Biography.com)
- Brief relationship with Eminem (early 2000s) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Other relationships (Tommy Mottola, James Packer) (Biography.com)
- 220+ million records sold globally (Biography.com)
- 19 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles (Biography.com)
- 5 Grammy Awards (Britannica)
Six key biographical facts, one pattern: Mariah Carey’s life has been a blend of professional triumph and personal challenge. The table below lays out the core identifiers.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mariah Angela Carey |
| Date of Birth | March 27, 1969 (age 55) (Britannica) |
| Nationality | American (Britannica) |
| Children | 2 (Moroccan and Monroe) (Biography.com) |
| Diagnosis | Bipolar II Disorder (People) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $340 million (Britannica) |
What Was Mariah Carey Diagnosed With?
What is Bipolar II Disorder?
- Bipolar II disorder involves episodes of hypomania and depression, distinct from the full mania of Bipolar I. (The New York Times (health reporting))
- Carey has stated that she underwent therapy and takes medication to manage her symptoms. (People)
When did Mariah Carey share her diagnosis?
- She revealed her bipolar II disorder in a 2018 interview with People magazine, disclosing that she was first diagnosed in 2001.
- “I didn’t want to believe it,” she told The New York Times, explaining that she eventually accepted the diagnosis and sought help.
- Carey said she went public to help reduce stigma: “I’m hopeful we can get to a place where the stigma is lifted from people going through anything alone.” (ABC News)
A star whose early career was defined by vocal perfection and relentless output now shows that even icons face internal battles. The choice to speak out gives millions of people living with bipolar disorder a relatable figure—and a reminder that treatment works.
The implication: Carey’s disclosure directly challenges the stigma around mental illness in the entertainment industry.
How Many Children Does Mariah Carey Have?
What are their names and birth dates?
- Mariah Carey has two children: twins Moroccan Scott Cannon and Monroe Cannon. (Biography.com)
- They were born on April 30, 2011. (People)
Who is the father of her children?
- The father is Nick Cannon, her ex-husband. (Biography.com)
- Carey and Cannon co-parent the twins. In 2025, REVOLT TV (hip-hop culture platform) reported that Carey describes her children as “the major loves of her life.”
The same woman who dominates charts and stages in front of millions is also a mother who carefully shields her twins from overexposure—an intentional trade‑off between public fame and private parenthood.
The pattern: Carey’s motherhood is a private anchor in a very public life.
Is Mariah Carey Part of the LGBTQ Community?
Has Mariah Carey identified as LGBTQ?
- Mariah Carey has not publicly identified as LGBTQ. (Britannica)
- She is a prominent ally and has a large LGBTQ fanbase. (Britannica)
- She has performed at various Pride events and spoken out for LGBTQ rights.
The catch: Her allyship is often cited as a reason for her enduring popularity within LGBTQ spaces.
What Happened Between Eminem and Mariah Carey?
Did they have a romantic relationship?
- Eminem and Mariah Carey had a brief romantic involvement in the early 2000s. (Wikipedia)
- Eminem has claimed a more serious relationship, while Carey has denied the severity. The exact timeline remains disputed between both parties. (Billboard (music industry trade publication))
What was the musical feud?
- The dispute spilled into public via music. Eminem released the diss track “Bagpipes from Baghdad” in 2009. (Billboard)
- Carey responded with her song “Obsessed,” which many interpret as a direct reply. (Wikipedia)
- The feud became one of the most publicized hip‑pop clashes of the late 2000s.
The implication: The dispute shows how private life can become public art, blurring the line between reality and performance.
Why Did Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey Divorce?
When did they get married and divorce?
- Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey married in 2008 and divorced in 2016. (Biography.com)
- They cited irreconcilable differences.
- They have maintained a co-parenting relationship for their twins.
The pattern: Despite the split, the co-parenting arrangement has remained stable.
Is Mariah Carey’s Mother Irish?
What is Mariah Carey’s ethnic background?
- Mariah Carey’s mother, Patricia Hickey, is of Irish descent. (IMDb)
- Her father, Alfred Roy Carey, was of African-American and Afro-Venezuelan descent. (Britannica)
- Carey has often spoken about her mixed heritage.
The catch: Her mixed heritage is often noted in discussions of her unique vocal style.
Timeline signal
- 1969 – Born in Huntington, New York. (Britannica)
- 1990 – Debut album Mariah Carey released, producing four number‑one singles. (Biography.com)
- 1993 – Married to music executive Tommy Mottola (divorced 1998). (Biography.com)
- 2008 – Married Nick Cannon. (Biography.com)
- 2009 – Released “Obsessed”, believed to be about Eminem, escalating feud. (Wikipedia)
- 2011 – Gave birth to twins Moroccan Scott and Monroe Cannon. (People)
- 2014 – Separated from Nick Cannon (divorce finalized 2016). (Biography.com)
- 2018 – Publicly revealed bipolar II disorder diagnosis. (People)
Confirmed facts
- Mariah Carey has bipolar II disorder (confirmed by her in 2018 interview with People).
- She has two children with Nick Cannon (Biography.com).
- She is not a member of the LGBTQ community based on her public statements; she is a vocal ally (Britannica).
- Her mother, Patricia Hickey, is of Irish descent (IMDb).
What’s unclear
- The exact number of miscarriages Mariah Carey has experienced is not fully confirmed in public records.
- The precise romantic relationship timeline with Eminem is disputed between both parties (Billboard).
- The full reasons for her divorce from Nick Cannon are stated as “irreconcilable differences”, but private details remain undisclosed.
“I’m in therapy and taking medication. I didn’t want to believe it, but I’m hopeful we can get to a place where the stigma is lifted.”
— Mariah Carey, as reported by The New York Times
“Mariah has described her children as the ‘major loves of her life.'”
— Source close to the singer, via REVOLT TV
For a deeper look into her personal journey, including her bipolar II diagnosis and family life, see Mariah Careys biography and bipolar disorder.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Mariah Carey Christmas song?
“All I Want for Christmas Is You,” released in 1994, has become a global holiday staple and holds the record for most streamed holiday song on Spotify.
How many Grammys has Mariah Carey won?
She has won 5 Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 1991.
What was the name of Mariah Carey’s first album?
Her debut album is simply titled “Mariah Carey,” released in 1990.
Does Mariah Carey write her own songs?
Yes, she co-writes most of her material and is credited on all of her number-one singles.
What is Mariah Carey’s vocal range?
Famously spanning five octaves, her whistle register is one of the most recognizable in pop music.
Has Mariah Carey acted in movies?
Yes, she has appeared in films such as “Glitter” (2001), “Precious” (2009), and “The Butler” (2013).
How old was Mariah Carey when she got her first record deal?
She signed with Columbia Records at age 18 in 1988.
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