Cissy Houston, Mother of Whitney Houston, Dies at 91!

Cissy Houston, a celebrated singer who won two Grammy awards, has passed away at the age of 91. Her representative confirmed that she died peacefully at her home in Newark, New Jersey while receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.

Surrounded by her loved ones, she took her final breath at 10:30 a.m. Houston’s legacy as a talented vocalist and the mother of the iconic Whitney Houston will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.

Her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston released a statement, saying,

“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. We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members.”

Also, Read Remembering Whitney Houston On What Would Have Been Her 59th Birthday!

Know a little more about Cissy’s music career

Cissy Houston’s musical journey began in 1938 when she joined her siblings in a gospel singing group named The Drinkard Four.

Houston’s musical journey was marked by her contributions to various groups and her successful solo career. During her time with The Drinkard Four (later renamed The Drinkard Singers), she made her television debut on TV Gospel Time.

Before welcoming her daughter Whitney into the world in 1963, Cissy formed The Sweet Inspirations with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warrick. The group later expanded to include Sylvia Shemwell, Estelle Brown, and Myrna Smith, and they became renowned for their backup vocals for artists such as Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, The Drifters, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick.

Cissy’s talent extended beyond her work as a backup singer, as she also achieved significant success as a solo artist. Her albums Face to Face and He Leadeth Me earned her two Grammy awards in 1996 and 1998, respectively.

Cissy’s tragic life

Cissy Houston experienced immense grief and loss in her later years. In February 2012, she was devastated by the untimely death of her daughter, Whitney Houston, who was found unresponsive in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel. The iconic singer was 48 years old.

The coroner later determined that Whitney had accidentally drowned, with heart disease and cocaine use contributing factors.

Just three years later, Cissy faced another heartbreaking tragedy when her granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, was also found unresponsive in a bathtub at her Georgia home. Bobbi Kristina was only 22 years old. Cissy’s surviving children are her sons, Micheal Houston and Gary Garland.

Netizens paid tribute to the late star, with one writing, ‘‘What a reunion with her daughter and granddaughter that must have been.”

Another wrote, ”Condolences to the family. RIP, Cissy ❤️’‘

Also, Read Alicia Etheredge addresses aiding Bobby Brown in marrying his late ex-wife Whitney Houston