Cissy Houston, the beloved mother of the late Whitney Houston and a two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, has passed away at the age of 91.
Known for her powerful voice and immense contributions to the music world, Houston died peacefully on Monday at her home in New Jersey, where she had been receiving hospice care due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Pat Houston, her daughter-in-law, confirmed the news, sharing that she was surrounded by her family in her final moments.
“Our hearts are heavy with pain and sadness as we mourn the loss of the matriarch of our family,” Pat Houston expressed in a statement. She praised Cissy’s unmatched influence on popular music and culture.
“Mother Cissy was a woman of deep faith, conviction, and immense love for her family, ministry, and community. Her seven-decade career in music will forever remain a testament to her legacy.”
Cissy Houston was a founding member of the renowned vocal group, the Sweet Inspirations, alongside Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warwick. The group provided background vocals for legendary artists such as Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, and Dionne Warwick. They also worked on iconic tracks like Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp.” Houston notably lent her voice to Aretha Franklin’s classic hit “Ain’t No Way” in 1967.
Cissy Houston’s final performance with the Sweet Inspirations was with Elvis Presley in Las Vegas in 1969, followed by their hit “(Gotta Find) A Brand New Lover.” After leaving the group, she pursued a successful solo career, becoming a sought-after session singer and collaborating with artists like Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, and Beyoncé.
Her vocals also graced tracks by Donny Hathaway, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack, and Whitney Houston. In 1971, she appeared on Burt Bacharach’s album, contributing to hits like “Mexican Divorce.” Over her career, Houston recorded over 600 songs and won two Grammys for *Face to Face* (1997) and *He Leadeth Me* (1998).
Cissy began her musical journey in 1938 with her siblings in the gospel group, The Drinkard Four, and later served as Minister of Sacred Music at New Hope Baptist Church, guided by her deep faith. The Houston family expressed gratitude for the support during their time of loss.