Whitney Houston’s Mother Dies Aged 91

The mother of legendary singer Whitney Houston has died aged 91…here’s what the world is saying.

At a glance:

  • Cissy Houston, iconic soul and gospel singer, passed away at 91 in New Jersey while receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
  • A Grammy Award-winning singer, she was the mother of the late Whitney Houston and grandmother to Bobbi Kristina, both of whom tragically died young.
  • Houston’s illustrious career spanned over seven decades, collaborating with legends like Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Van Morrison.

Cissy Houston, the Grammy Award-winning soul and gospel singer and mother of the legendary Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. Houston died at her home in New Jersey while receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her family confirmed on Monday.

Houston was an influential figure in the music industry, known for her powerful voice and significant collaborations with megastars such as Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin. Her death comes 12 years after her daughter Whitney drowned in a hotel bathtub, a loss that devastated the family and the music world. Whitney’s own daughter, Bobbi Kristina, died in a similarly tragic manner just three years later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hDoC_V3RJE

Cissy’s daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, released a statement expressing the family’s sorrow: “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family, a woman of deep faith and conviction.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqMqnzQiYGk

Born Emily Drinkard, Cissy Houston rose to prominence as part of the vocal group Sweet Inspirations, which backed some of the biggest names in soul music. Her powerful voice is immortalized in hits such as Van Morrison’s Brown-Eyed Girl and Aretha Franklin’s Natural Woman. Cissy eventually pursued a successful solo career, earning two Grammy Awards in 1997 and 1998 for her gospel albums.

Despite her success, Cissy struggled with the profound loss of Whitney and Bobbi Kristina, both of whom passed under heartbreaking circumstances. However, Cissy’s family noted in their statement that she is now at peace, reunited with her daughter and granddaughter.

Over her decades-long career, Cissy Houston not only left a significant mark on the music industry but also influenced future generations of musicians, including her daughter Whitney, who many believed inherited her vocal prowess from Cissy. Music experts have praised Cissy for her ability to nurture the gospel music tradition and her influence on those who followed in her footsteps.

Cissy’s legacy will be remembered through her music, her faith, and her contributions to the careers of the icons she worked with throughout her life.

RIP!