(PatriotNews.net) – Cissy Houston, the mother of music legend Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 91 in her New Jersey home while receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, confirmed the news in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. Cissy passed away surrounded by her family. “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness,” Pat said, calling Cissy the “matriarch” of their family. She praised her mother-in-law’s contributions to music, saying they were “unparalleled.”
Cissy Houston had a remarkable career in music that spanned over seven decades. She was a member of the famous group, The Sweet Inspirations, which sang backup for legends like Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, and Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul.” The group even worked with Elvis Presley in the late 1960s. One of their biggest hits, “(Gotta Find) A Brand New Lover,” showcased the group’s talent and helped cement their place in music history.
After leaving The Sweet Inspirations, Cissy pursued a solo career, where she continued to shine. She sang on tracks with a range of top artists, including Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, and her own daughter, Whitney Houston. Cissy’s powerful voice could be heard on some of the most iconic songs of the time.
Cissy won two Grammy Awards during her career, the first in 1997 for her album Face to Face and the second the following year for He Leadeth Me. She also wrote three books, including Remembering Whitney, where she shared details about her daughter’s struggles with addiction and the heartbreaking intervention she had to make.
In her book, Cissy described how she fought to get Whitney into rehab, even though it strained their relationship. Though Whitney later thanked her for saving her life, Cissy felt her daughter may never have fully forgiven her.
Whitney Houston tragically died in 2012 at the age of 48, but her mother’s legacy will continue to live on in the world of music.
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