who wrote the whitney houston song i will always love you

The iconic song "I Will Always Love You," famously performed by Whitney Houston, was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton. Parton penned the song in 1973 as a farewell to her mentor and business partner, Porter Wagoner, after deciding to pursue a solo career. While Dolly Parton's version achieved success on the country music charts, it was Whitney Houston's powerful rendition for the 1992 film "The Bodyguard" that catapulted the song to international fame, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. 

Houston's version is celebrated for its emotional intensity and her vocal prowess, transforming the song into a timeless anthem of love and loss. Her performance imbues the song with a raw, soulful quality, elevating it from its country roots to a universal pop classic. Whitney's interpretation and the accompanying soundtrack played a significant role in the massive commercial success of "The Bodyguard," solidifying the song's place in music history.