Whitney Houston’s Mother Cissy Houston Dead At 91

Cissy Houston, the mother of the late singer and actress Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. Through the years, Cissy also made a name for herself as a soul and gospel singer. The singer’s daughter-in-law shared the news of what had happened in a statement.

The Singer & Matriarch Passed Away In Her New Jersey Home

Houston had died in her home in New Jersey on October 7. Her daughter-in-law Pat Houston shared that she had been under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. She was 91 at the time of her passing.

As noted by People, Pat shared that, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family.” The statement continued, “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.”

As Pat continued, “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.”

Pat also shared the news on Instagram. In the post, she wrote that, “It saddens my heart to announce the passing of my beloved Queen Cissy Houston today! Please keep the Houston family in your prayers.”

Cissy Got Her Start As A Singer At A Young Age

Cissy was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1933. She started her singing career in 1938 while singing in a gospel group with her siblings. Houston would make her TV debut with TV Gospel Time.

In 1963, around the time she was having her daughter Whitney, Houston formed a group known as the Sweet Inspirations with her niece Dee Dee Warwick. They group worked with numerous musical talents throughout the decade, including Dusty Springfield, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Elvis Presley.

 

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A post shared by Pat Houston (@mpathouston)

The same year, 1963, also marked the year she released her first solo record, “This Is My Vow.” In her lifetime, Houston won two Grammy awards, both in 1996 for the album Face to Face and in 1998 for the album He Leadeth Me.

Houston also recorded a duet with Whitney back in 1987, called, “I Know Him So Well.” Months after her daughter’s death in 2012, Houston also notably played tribute to her at the BET Awards. At the show, she performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Houston had a son Gary, from her marriage to NBA player Gary Garland. Houston would later have another son and daughter Michael and Whitney, through her marriage to John Russell. Houston is also the maternal aunt of singer Dionne Warwick.

Have you listened to Cissy Houston’s work before? What was your favorite song or performance of hers? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.