Cissy Houston, the esteemed soul and gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91.
Known for her powerful vocal talents, Houston, a two-time Grammy winner, died at her home in New Jersey on Monday morning, as confirmed by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston. She had been receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease and was surrounded by family at the time of her passing.
Pat Houston expressed the family’s sorrow in 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.”
The statement continued to reflect on Houston’s impactful career: “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, as well as other cherished family members.”
Cissy Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey, and began her career in entertainment as part of the gospel group Drinkard Four. She later formed The Sweet Inspirations with Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy, providing backup for notable artists such as Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. The group famously performed backup for Jimi Hendrix and contributed to Van Morrison’s hit “Brown Eyed Girl.”
Houston released her first solo album, “Presenting Cissy Houston,” in 1970, followed by numerous other projects, including her last album, “Walk on By Faith,” in 2012. Throughout her career, she provided backup vocals on numerous recordings, with her voice featured alongside those of Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and many more.
In 1997, she won her first Grammy for her album “Face to Face,” and she earned another in 1999 for “He Leadeth Me.”
Her family legacy includes her daughter, Whitney Houston, as well as her nieces, Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and her cousin, opera singer Leontyne Price. Cissy was the youngest of eight siblings.
In a statement, the Houston family thanked the public for their support and requested privacy during this difficult time.