Mariah Carey has announced the deaths of her mother, Patricia, and her sister, Alison, who both passed away over the weekend. In a statement released on Monday, the acclaimed singer shared her profound grief: “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend,” Carey said. “Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day.”
Carey expressed gratitude for the time she was able to spend with her mother in the week preceding her death and requested privacy during this difficult time. No further details about the causes of death have been disclosed.
Patricia, aged 87, was a former opera singer and vocal coach of Irish-American descent. In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the singer revealed the complexities of her relationship with her mother, describing it as a source of significant pain and confusion. Carey noted that professional jealousy and competition, which can be part of any successful career, were particularly painful when experienced with her mother. Despite these challenges, she expressed deep love for Patricia, writing in the book’s dedication: “To Pat, my mother, who, through it all, I do believe actually did the best she could. I will love you the best I can, always.”
In a 2022 interview with Gayle King, Carey reflected on how her mother’s criticism during her upbringing had a lasting impact on her. However, she also credited her mother with introducing her to music.
Carey’s relationship with her older sister Alison, 63, was similarly complex. The singer recounted estrangement from Alison and their brother Morgan in her memoir, citing emotional and physical safety as reasons for their lack of contact. Alison had previously sued Carey for $1.2 million (£909,780), claiming “immense emotional distress” caused by the memoir, which she described as “vindictive.”
Mariah Carey’s father, Alfred, passed away from cancer in 2002 at the age of 72.
Carey is celebrated as one of the most successful artists worldwide, known for her record-breaking holiday single “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” the best-selling Christmas song by a female artist. She holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles by a solo artist, with 19 songs, and has sold over 220 million records globally. Carey has also served as a judge on the competition show American Idol.
