- Cissy Houston, gospel singer and Whitney's mom, dies at 91
- Died in NJ home due to Alzheimer's complications
- 2-time Grammy winner had 70+ year music career alongside iconic artists
Cissy Houston, the celebrated gospel singer and mother of the late Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. The family confirmed her death in a statement, revealing she died on Monday morning at her home in New Jersey while in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
Pat Houston, her daughter-in-law, expressed the family’s deep sorrow, stating, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.” She described Cissy as a “strong and towering figure” in their lives.
With a remarkable career spanning decades, Houston shared the stage with musical legends such as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Born in New Jersey in 1933, she was the youngest of eight children and began her singing journey early, forming a gospel group with her siblings.
In the 1960s, she co-founded the R&B group The Sweet Inspirations, which provided backup vocals for notable artists including Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. The group also featured on Van Morrison’s iconic track “Brown Eyed Girl.”
Following her success with The Sweet Inspirations, Houston launched a solo career, collaborating with stars like Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her daughter, Whitney Houston, who tragically passed away in 2012 at the age of 48.
Cissy Houston’s contributions to music earned her two Grammy Awards: one in 1997 for her traditional soul gospel album Face to Face and another the following year for He Leadeth Me. Additionally, she authored three books, including Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped, which commemorates her daughter.
At 80, Houston made a memorable appearance alongside Aretha Franklin on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing a 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 they shared with her. She concluded with a heartfelt sentiment: “May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney, and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other cherished family members.”
