Nick Gordon, Whitney Houston’s secret “son” is to inherit a share of $30 million fortune from the late singer, family sources said last night.

Whitney Houston took Nick Gordon, 22, into her home in Atlanta, Georgia, as a youngster to save him from his own troubled background.

Although Nick Gordon was never formally adopted, he would call Whitney Houston “Mum” and the singer was treating him like her own.

Nick Gordon also became a “brother” to the singer’s 18-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown and featured in touching family photos.

Although Whitney Houston struggled for cash later in life as she battled debt and drug problems, the late singer is still believed to have left an estate of around $30 million which has been boosted by increased record sales following her death.

Now Nick Gordon is set to get a share.

A family insider in Atlanta said: “Nick was family, she loved him as much as any mother could love a child.”

Even if Whitney Houston did not make legal arrangements for her “son” to inherit part of her fortune, the source is convinced that her daughter will make sure he is cared for.

“If he is not written into her will and everything goes to Bobbi then it will only be because it was written before she took Nick into her family,” the insider said.

“If that’s the case, Bobbi will make sure Nick is taken care of because it’s what her mum would have wanted and he’s like a brother.”

Whitney Houston with her secret “son” Nick Gordon and daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown

But Nick Gordon has had his problems too. In 2011 he was charged with gun possession in Roswell, Georgia, after a night out with his sister.

The 22 year-old was accused of trying to stop a fight between Bobbi Kristina and her ex-boyfriend by pulling the gun.

The same night Bobbi Kristina was arrested for possession of alcohol while a minor.

But Whitney Houston stood by Nick Gordon.

The source added: “Whitney wanted to save Nick – even if she couldn’t save herself.”

Whitney Houston was found in her hotel bathtub on the eve of the Grammy Awards earlier this month after taking a cocktail of prescription pills.

Afterwards Nick Gordon tweeted: “Rest in peace. Thank you for all your support.

“The legend will always and forever live on.”

Nick Gordon became an older brother to Bobbi Kristina and is said to have been comforting the youngster since Whitney Houston was found dead two weeks ago.

Issues over inheritance are the last thing on the mind of Whitney Houston’s family who are still reeling from the shock death of the singer.

Bobbi Kristina Brown, the singer’s 18-year-old daughter, is said to be devastated and lost following the star’s death and the family fear it may push her over the edge.