Together Ginger, Posh, Baby, Scary and Sporty sold more than 75 million records and had nine number ones. Their debut album, Spice, made them the fastest-selling British act since the Beatles.
The group were introduced to royalty, pictured with Nelson Mandela and performed with operatic heavyweight Luciano Pavarotti.
But despite their rapid success, relations within the group became increasingly fractious.
Halliwell quit the band in 1998. The group continued as a quartet for a time but by 2001 they had dissolved and were working on their solo careers.
After much speculation they reformed for a money-spinning 47-date tour which began in 2007. As it closed, the girls acknowledged there would be no more.
But the quintet reunited to perform together again at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.
They also gathered together to launch a stage musical inspired by their songs called Viva Forever.
Each has gone on to find a measure of success in their own right, juggling their careers with motherhood.
- AAP
