Whitney Houston’s mom Cissy dead at age 91 after health battle as tributes pour in for Grammy-winning gospel star
WHITNEY Houston's mom has died in hospice care after suffering from Alzheimer's, her heartbroken family confirmed.
Cissy Houston, who had a Grammy-winning singing career of her own, died at 91 years old.
Cissy was surrounded by family in her New Jersey home when she died on Monday, according to the report first shared by The Associated Press.
Her cause of death was not immediately released.
"Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness," Pat Houston, Cissy's daughter-in-law, said in a statement.
"We lost the matriarch of our family."
“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.”
Though she's most known for being Whitney's mom, Cissy developed fame of her own by singing backup for artists like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley.
She sang with the vocal group the Sweet Inspirations, who sang backup for soul legends including Otis Redding, Dionne Warwick, and The Drifters.
They also appeared on Van Morrison's hit Brown Eyed Girl, and sang background vocals on The Jimi Hendrix Experiences's Burning of the Midnight Lamp, both in 1967.
Houston last sang with the Sweet Inspirations at an Elvis Presley show in Las Vegas in 1969.
She left the group after four albums together and pursued a solo career, recording more than 600 songs in multiple genres.
Among the artists she sang for included Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Beyonce, Paul Simon, and Roberta Flack.
She also sang with her own daughter.
More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun