Adele's '21' Surpasses Whitney Houston's Blockbuster

Adele's iconic 2011 album, '21,' has officially claimed the title of the best-selling female album of all time. The record has now sold an astonishing 56.375 million copies, edging out Whitney Houston's 1992 soundtrack for 'The Bodyguard,' which had 56.372 million sales. This significant achievement highlights the enduring global appeal of Adele's work.

The album '21' was pivotal in launching Adele to international fame, featuring now-classic tracks such as 'Someone Like You,' 'Rolling in the Deep,' and 'Set Fire to the Rain.' Co-writer and producer Ryan Tedder shared his astonishment at the record-breaking success, noting that the team didn't fully grasp the magnitude of the project at the time.

He expressed disbelief, stating that 'Records are meant to be broken but until the next one passes us - muchas gracias. Viva la música.' The sales figures were calculated using the Commensurate Sales to Popularity Concept, which standardizes album sales across different eras by including streams and downloads.

Adele herself was recently observed in Rome, maintaining a discreet presence as she departed a restaurant. She was dressed in a trench coat, flared jeans, and a scarf, seemingly unfazed by the cold.