Celebrated gospel singer and mother of the late Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, has passed away at the age of 91.
The family confirmed her death on Monday morning, stating that she died peacefully at her New Jersey home while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
Pat Houston, her daughter-in-law, shared the family’s grief, describing Cissy as a “strong and towering figure” in their lives. “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness,” she said.
Houston’s illustrious career spanned decades, during which she shared the stage with musical legends such as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Born in New Jersey in 1933, she began her singing journey early, forming a gospel group with her siblings.
In the 1960s, she co-founded The Sweet Inspirations, an R&B group that provided backup vocals for artists like Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. The group also featured on Van Morrison’s iconic track “Brown Eyed Girl.”
Houston’s solo career was equally successful, with collaborations with Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her daughter, Whitney Houston. Her contributions to music earned her two Grammy Awards, one for her traditional soul gospel album “Face to Face” and another for “He Leadeth Me.”
Houston 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, she made a memorable appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” performing Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” alongside Aretha Franklin.
Pat Houston said that Cissy’s “more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.” She concluded with a heartfelt sentiment: “May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney, and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other cherished family members.”