Cissy Houston, the acclaimed soul and gospel singer and mother of Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91.
Houston, a two-time Grammy Award winner known for her vocal contributions to Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, died Monday morning at her home in New Jersey, as reported by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston. She was surrounded by family and was receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
Pat Houston expressed the family’s sorrow, stating, “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, “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 thank her for the many valuable life lessons 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 Houston began her career in the entertainment industry as a member of the gospel group Drinkard Four. She later co-founded the Sweet Inspirations with Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy, providing backup vocals for artists such as Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. Her work included backing vocals on Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp.”
Cissy Houston’s final performance with the Sweet Inspirations occurred in Las Vegas in 1969, sharing the stage with Elvis Presley. In her solo career, she released her first album, “Presenting Cissy Houston,” in 1970, followed by numerous albums, with her most recent being 2012’s “Walk on By Faith.” She contributed backing vocals to hundreds of recordings throughout her career, including Bette Midler’s 1972 debut album “The Divine Miss M” and Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way,” in addition to collaborating with artists like Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, David Bowie, and Beyoncé.
Houston received her first Grammy Award in 1997 for “Face to Face,” which won the title of best traditional soul gospel album. She won another Grammy in the same category in 1999 for her album “He Leadeth Me.”
Cissy Houston hailed from a talented family of entertainers, including her daughter Whitney Houston, nieces Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and was a cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price. She was the youngest of eight siblings.
The Houston family expressed gratitude for the support and love they have received during this difficult time, requesting privacy as they grieve the loss of their beloved matriarch.