Cissy Houston, the celebrated soul and gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 91.
According to her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, Cissy passed away at her home in New Jersey on Monday morning, surrounded by family. She had been receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
In a statement, Pat Houston expressed the family’s grief, 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.”
Pat added that Cissy’s extensive career in music and entertainment, which spanned over seven decades, would always be cherished. “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, granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other cherished family members.”
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Cissy began her career in entertainment as a member of the gospel group Drinkard Four. She later co-founded the Sweet Inspirations, performing backup for iconic artists such as Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. Notably, she contributed her vocals to tracks like Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp.”
The Sweet Inspirations held their final performance in Las Vegas in 1969, along with Elvis Presley. As a solo artist, she released her debut album “Presenting Cissy Houston” in 1970, followed by numerous albums, including her last release, “Walk on By Faith,” in 2012. Throughout her career, Cissy sang backup on hundreds of recordings for artists like Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, and many others.
Cissy Houston earned her first Grammy Award in 1997 for “Face to Face,” which won Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. She received a second Grammy in the same category two years later for her album “He Leadeth Me.”
Coming from a rich family heritage of entertainers, Cissy’s legacy continues through her daughter Whitney Houston, as well as her nieces Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and her cousin, opera singer Leontyne Price. She was the youngest of eight children.
In a statement on behalf of the Houstons, the family expressed gratitude for the support they have received, requesting privacy during their time of mourning.