Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning singer and mother of the late Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91.
Her family confirmed that she died on Monday morning, surrounded by loved ones, after being in hospice care due to Alzheimer’s disease.
“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.
“Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.
“Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled,” Cissy’s daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, said in a heartfelt statement on Monday.
Born Emily Drinkard, Cissy Houston was the youngest of eight children. She grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and began her musical journey at just five years old, joining her siblings in the gospel group, The Drinkard Four, which later evolved into The Drinkard Singers.
Throughout her career, she collaborated with iconic artists such as Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, and Dusty Springfield, and became a sought-after background vocalist.
Cissy formed the group The Sweet Inspirations in the 1960s, and they provided backup vocals for many famous performers of the time. She also released ten solo albums, earning two Grammy Awards for her contributions to music.
In 2013, she published a memoir, “Remember Whitney,” where she shared her experiences and memories of her daughter, Whitney Houston, who tragically passed away in 2012 at the age of 48.
Cissy described Whitney as a loving, generous person, and sought to dispel misconceptions about her.
Cissy Houston leaves behind her sons, Gary and Michael, along with several grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, died three years after Whitney, at the age of 22.
The family expressed their gratitude for the many years they had with Cissy and the valuable life lessons she imparted.