Aaliyah, the beloved R&B singer, tragically died in a plane crash in 2001, leaving behind a legacy of music and memories. Her boyfriend at the time revealed her final words before the ill-fated flight. Learn about her relationships, her rise to fame, and the heartbreaking tragedy.
The music world was devastated on August 25, 2001, when the news broke that R&B singer and actress Aaliyah had tragically died in a plane crash in the Bahamas. Just 22 years old, her untimely passing left a void that has yet to be filled, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of fans and artists alike.
Aaliyah, circa 1995. | Source: Getty Images
In recent years, new details about her final moments have come to light, thanks to interviews with her boyfriend at the time. In 2015, he revealed a heartbreaking revelation about her already harrowing death after opening up about the last thing the singer said to him before her passing.
Aaliyah during an appearance at Virgin Megastore on May 1, 1995, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Aaliyah’s Early Career and Controversial Relationship with R. Kelly
Aaliyah Dana Haughton, known simply as Aaliyah, was a talented singer, actress, and model who emerged as a major force in R&B during the 1990s. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, her smooth voice and charismatic stage presence made her a standout.
Her debut album, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number,” released in 1994, helped launch her into stardom. The album, produced by R. Kelly, introduced Aaliyah’s unique blend of sultry vocals and youthful charisma, but it also sparked controversy due to her personal relationship with R. Kelly.
Aaliyah, circa 2000. | Source: Getty Images
At the time of the album’s release, Aaliyah was just 15 years old, and R. Kelly was 27. Behind the scenes, it was revealed that the R&B icon and Aaliyah were involved in a relationship.
Prosecutors later claimed that Kelly had been engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with Aaliyah while she was a minor. The relationship took an even more scandalous turn when it was discovered that R. Kelly had illegally married Aaliyah.
R. Kelly photographed outside his home in June 2001 in Orlando, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
Reports emerged that he bribed an official to falsify her age on a marriage certificate, indicating she was 18. In reality, Aaliyah was only 15 at the time of the wedding. The marriage, which took place in secret, became a sensational story when it was exposed to the public.
Aaliyah’s family swiftly intervened, and the marriage was annulled shortly after it was discovered. In the years that followed, Aaliyah distanced herself from Kelly and rarely spoke about their relationship.
Aaliyah on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2001. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the controversy, she continued to grow as an artist, collaborating with other producers and releasing two more highly successful albums. However, although her career soared in the wake of her split from R. Kelly, his actions remained a dark cloud over her legacy.
In 2023, Lifetime’s docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly” revealed that R. Kelly had allegedly coerced Aaliyah and her family into signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) following their marriage annulment.
Aaliyah at the 2001 Essence Awards. | Source: Getty Images
This NDA was brought up in court during the “Bump n’ Grind” singer’s 2022 federal trial, where Aaliyah was referred to as Jane Doe #1. The revelations provided further evidence of the disturbing nature of Kelly’s predatory behavior, and his exploitation of Aaliyah was acknowledged as part of the larger case against him.
R. Kelly after appearing at a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images
Aaliyah’s Tragic Death
Aaliyah’s life was tragically cut short on August 25, 2001, when a plane she was traveling on crashed shortly after takeoff in the Bahamas. At the time, the singer was on the island to film the music video for her song “Rock the Boat.”
The small Cessna plane, which was carrying Aaliyah and eight other passengers, crashed moments after departing from Marsh Harbour Airport. The plane was reportedly overloaded with luggage, and there were concerns from the ground crew about the excessive weight.
Despite these warnings, the passengers insisted on bringing their belongings, and the plane took off. Dr. Giovander Raju, the pathologist who performed autopsies on Aaliyah and several of the other victims, testified at a coroner’s inquest in Nassau.
He revealed that Aaliyah had died from severe burns and a blow to the head caused by the crash. “Aaliyah went into such a state of shock, even if she had survived the crash, recovery would have been near impossible,” Dr. Raju stated.
Sean Combs photographed leaving Aaliyah’s memorial service at St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church on August 31, 2001, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
His findings also indicated that Aaliyah had a generally weak heart, which further reduced her chances of survival. There were several theories about Aaliyah’s condition before boarding the flight.
Witnesses claimed that she was not feeling well on the day of the flight and had complained of a headache. It was also reported that she had been given a pill to help her sleep, and she was in a “deep sleep” before boarding the plane.
A portrait of Aaliyah at her memorial service at St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church on August 31, 2001, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Mara Schiavocampo, a senior investigative correspondent, recounted, “She was so deep in sleep that she may not have even been aware that she was on the airplane.”
In the aftermath of the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the pilot of the plane, Luis Morales III, was not authorized to fly the aircraft. Morales had falsified his qualifications, and it was discovered that he was under the influence of alcohol and narcotics at the time of the crash.
Aaliyah’s coffin being carried out of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church on August 31, 2001, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
The investigation pointed to several factors that contributed to the crash, including the unauthorized pilot, the plane being overloaded, and the pilot’s impairment. The findings only deepened the tragedy, as the accident was ultimately preventable.
Aaliyah’s death sent shockwaves through the music world, leaving fans and colleagues devastated. At just 22 years old, she had accomplished so much, but she was on the cusp of even greater success.
A fan writing a message on a billboard of Aaliyah on August 28, 2001, on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Aaliyah’s Relationship with Damon Dash
At the time of her death, Aaliyah was in a relationship with music executive Damon Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records. Dash, known for his work with Jay-Z and other prominent artists, was deeply involved in the hip-hop scene and made significant strides in the fashion and entertainment industries.
Aaliyah and Damon Dash at the premiere of “Planet of the Apes” on July 23, 2001, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
His relationship with Aaliyah, which began in 2000, was loving and supportive. The couple was seen as one of the music industry’s power pairs, and they remained together up until Aaliyah’s tragic passing.
Aaliyah and Damon Dash, circa 2001. | Source: Getty Images
In a candid interview, Dash recalled how their relationship began unexpectedly, “I didn’t look at her like that because she was like a tomboy; she was little to me.”
However, one day they crossed paths, and he was struck by how different she looked each time he saw her. It wasn’t until later that he realized it was Aaliyah, which prompted him to step up and make a move.
Aaliyah and Damon Dash at the premiere of “Planet of the Apes” on July 23, 2001, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
From then on, their bond grew stronger. In a 2022 interview, he opened up about the profound impact her death had on him, admitting that he sought therapy to cope with the immense grief. “I miss Aaliyah. Unless you were able to experience her, it’d be hard for you to understand,” Dash said.
Dash has also shared that he sees a lot of Aaliyah in his daughter. He often wondered what it would have been like if Aaliyah had met his daughter, pondering how their lives might have intersected.
Aaliyah and Damon Dash at the premiere of “The Other” on August 2, 2001. | Source: Getty Images
One of the most heartbreaking details of Aaliyah’s final days was the last conversation she had with Dash before going on her ill-fated trip to the Bahamas.
Dash revealed during a 2015 appearance on “The Real” talk show that Aaliyah had expressed discomfort with the plane she was about to board. According to Dash, Aaliyah told him that she “didn’t like the plane,” to which he responded by urging her not to get on it.
