Cissy Houston, the celebrated gospel singer and mother of global icon Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91, according to her family. Houston died early Monday morning at her New Jersey home while receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
Her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, expressed profound sorrow, stating, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family,” highlighting Cissy’s powerful presence and impact on their lives.
Cissy Houston enjoyed a remarkable singing career that spanned decades, captivating audiences alongside legendary artists such as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Born in 1933 in New Jersey as the youngest of eight children, she began her musical journey in childhood by forming a gospel group with her siblings.
In the 1960s, Houston achieved recognition as a member of the R&B group the Sweet Inspirations, providing backup for icons including Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. The group famously contributed to Van Morrison’s classic hit “Brown Eyed Girl.”
Following her success with the Sweet Inspirations, Houston transitioned to a solo career, collaborating with notable artists like Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her late daughter Whitney Houston, who tragically passed away in 2012 at the age of 48.
A distinguished artist, Cissy Houston won two Grammy Awards for her soul gospel albums, “Face to Face” in 1997 and “He Leadeth Me” in 1998. She also authored three books, including a poignant memoir about her daughter titled “Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped.”
In a notable performance at age 80, Houston reunited with Aretha Franklin on “The Late Show,” delivering a moving rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
Pat Houston remarked that Cissy’s “more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts,” expressing gratitude for the years shared with her. She concluded with a heartfelt message, wishing that Cissy may rest in peace alongside her daughter Whitney, granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other beloved family members.
