Cissy Houston, the mother of legendary singer Whitney Houston, passed away at home in New Jersey on the morning of October 7. She was 91 years old and had been receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, confirmed the sad news. Cissy was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing.
Pat Houston shared the family’s grief, saying, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.” She described Cissy as a strong woman who was deeply dedicated to her family, church, and community. Pat also noted that Cissy’s contribution to music and culture was unmatched.
Cissy Houston had a long and successful career in the music industry. She was a two-time Grammy winner and worked with music legends like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. Her career spanned over seven decades, and she was a respected figure in both gospel and popular music.
After the news of her passing spread, many people shared their condolences. One of them was Whitney Houston’s ex-husband, Bobby Brown. He and his wife, Alicia, expressed their sorrow and sent their love to the Houston family, saying, “May she rest in Peace and Power.”
The Houston family expressed gratitude for the support they received from fans. Pat Houston added that the family feels blessed for the many years they had with Cissy, and they requested privacy as they grieve.
Cissy’s musical journey began in a family gospel group, and she later became famous as a member of The Sweet Inspirations, a group that performed with many major artists. Cissy’s voice can be heard on over 600 recordings, including Aretha Franklin’s “A Natural Woman” and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” She also performed with artists like Luther Vandross and Beyoncé.
In addition to her music career, Cissy was an author. She wrote a memoir in 2013 called Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss and the Night the Music Stopped, which was dedicated to her late daughter. In the memoir, she described Whitney as a loving daughter and a professional who valued her success. She also wrote about their close bond and how much Whitney meant to her.
Cissy had always been close to Whitney, whom she called “Nippy,” her childhood nickname. Cissy shared that Whitney was her heart and a very special part of her life. Unfortunately, Whitney passed away in 2012 from accidental drowning, with heart disease and substance abuse being contributing factors. Cissy wrote her memoir to set the record straight after reading false reports about her daughter. She wanted people to understand the real Whitney—a wonderful and caring person who made mistakes, but also achieved greatness.
Cissy Houston’s legacy will live on through her music, her writing, and the love she showed her family. She was not only a musical icon but also a devoted mother who will always be remembered for her strength, faith, and love.
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