Mariah Carey Birthday: 10 Fun Facts on Singer’s 42nd Birthday

Mariah Carey turns 42 years old today (March 27), AOL Music reports. You probably best know the pop legend for her chart-topping music, and more recently, for becoming a new mother of twins and wife to TV and music mogul Nick Cannon. In celebration of the Queen Diva's big day, check out our list of 10 fun Mimi facts below.

1. Her mother was an opera singer and vocal coach (she had to get it from somewhere!)

2. She was discovered at a party after handing her demo to Columbia Records exec Tommy Mottola, who later became her first husband.

3. Mariah had the nickname "Mirage" in high school, because she never showed up for classes.

4. She is a practicing Episcopalian.

5. Mariah has won a five Grammy Awards, and has received a whopping 34 nominations total.

6. With 18 Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers, Mariah holds the record for the most No. 1s by a female artist.

7. Of all of her No. 1 hits, 2005's "We Belong Together" spent the most time at the top of the charts with a 14-week run.

8. She was named after the song "They Call The Wind Maria" (pronounced "Mariah"), from the popular Lerner & Loewe musical "Paint Your Wagon."

9. Her favorite actress is Marylin Monroe, who is the namesake for her daughter Monroe Cannon.

10. In 1999, she bought Marilyn Monroe's white baby grand piano at auction for over $600,000!

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