Great Singer Mariah Carey was born on March 27, 1970, in Long Island, New York. Her mother, Patricia, is Irish/American and a a former opera singer with the New York City Opera and a vocal coach. Mariah's father, Alfred, is African-American/Venezuelan and works as a aeronautical engineer. Maria's parents divorced when she was only three years old. Due to her Irish/African-American/Venezuelan descent, Great Babe Mariah Carey encountered some racial discrimination while growing up. When Mariah's mother, Patricia, one day was rehearsing her role of Maddalena in Verdi's Opera Rigolettos, she heard Mariah imitating her singing. Mariah Carey was only 3 at the time, but
  Mariah Carey her mom began teaching her how to develop her voice. Mariah Carey didn't concentrate much on her education in high school, and she frequently skiped classes. Before her big break, Mariah completed 500 hours of beauty school. She also worked as a hair sweeper in a salon, as a waitress and as a coat check girl.Full Biography