Beyoncé Knowles says Whitney Houston was "the ultimate woman".

The pop star joined other famous faces including Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson and Nelson Mandela in paying tribute to the tragic singer.

The new mother wrote a touching homage to the I Will Always Love You singer who died on Saturday aged 48.

"The loss of Whitney Houston is painful. I remember meeting Whitney for the first time when I was 15. She was the ultimate legend. The ultimate woman. Not only was she confident, poised, stunningly beautiful and intelligent, but she was sincere and kind. She took the time to make everyone felt like they were very important to her," Beyoncé said in a statement posted on her official website.

The Love on Top singer went on to describe how Whitney's musical legacy has shaped her own career.

Beyoncé explained that the superstar led the way for many artists in the music industry and that some of her fondest memories are linked to Whitney's hits.

"I, like every singer, always wanted to be just like her. Her voice was perfect. Strong but soothing. Soulful and classic. Her vibrato, her cadence, her control. So many of my life's memories are attached to a Whitney Houston song. She is our queen and she opened doors and provided a blueprint for all of us. God bless her," she said.

Nelson Mandela has also expressed his admiration for the singer's outstanding musical talent. His office has paid tribute to Whitney following her tragic death.

"Ms Houston sang for Mr Nelson Mandela at a White House dinner in his honour in October 1994. She dedicated to him her rendition of the song Greatest Love of All. May she rest in peace," the statement said.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that copies of Whitney's medical records will be passed on to the coroner's office dealing with the official autopsy report.

Whitney is believed to have visited an ear, nose and throat doctor earlier this month. She was also reportedly seeking advice from other physicians.

Medical experts are hoping that the records could help shed light on what caused the singer's untimely demise.

"[L.A. County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed] Winter will get copies of the medical charts from all of her treating physicians. He needs all of that information for Whitney's final autopsy report. It will be a very thorough and extensive report," a source told website RadarOnline. "The cops and coroner already have several prescription bottles that were recovered from her hotel room. The doctors listed on those bottles will be contacted as well, and some of these doctors are out of state."

The website also alleges that "a plethora of sedatives including Lorazepam, Valium, Xanax, and a sleeping medication" were found in the Los Angeles hotel room where Whitney died.

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