Cissy Houston, the renowned soul-gospel artist and mother of the late Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 91. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, shared that Cissy passed away peacefully at her home in New Jersey on Monday morning, where she was receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.
In a heartfelt statement, Pat expressed the family’s profound loss: “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.” She emphasized Cissy’s deep impact on music and culture, describing her contributions as “unparalleled.”
Reflecting on her mother-in-law’s legacy, Pat said, “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. She was 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 always remain in our hearts.”
The family has also expressed gratitude for the support they have received during this challenging time, requesting privacy as they navigate their grief.
Cissy Houston had a remarkable and influential career, sharing the stage with legends like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Born Emily Drinkard in New Jersey in 1933, she was the youngest of eight siblings and began her musical journey in church. At just five years old, she and three of her siblings formed the Drinkard Singers, a gospel group that lasted for three decades, performing alongside icons such as Mahalia Jackson and releasing their album “A Joyful Noise” in 1959.
In the 1960s, Cissy became known as a member of The Sweet Inspirations, a groundbreaking backing group that included Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warwick. This influential ensemble provided vocal support for a host of soul artists, including Otis Redding and Dionne Warwick.
Cissy’s impressive portfolio also featured contributions to classics like Aretha Franklin’s “Think” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” as well as Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.” She fondly remembered her time with Elvis Presley, who would often sing gospel songs during rehearsal breaks and affectionately called her “squirrelly.”
After achieving considerable success with The Sweet Inspirations and releasing four albums, Cissy embarked on a solo career that highlighted her extraordinary talent. As a highly sought-after session singer, she collaborated with an array of artists, recording over 600 songs across various genres. Among her notable collaborators were Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and, of course, her daughter Whitney.
Throughout her career, Cissy Houston released several important albums, including “Presenting Cissy Houston” and the Grammy-winning gospel collections “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me.” Her iconic vocals were featured on Burt Bacharach’s solo album in 1971, and she also performed beloved standards like Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen.”
Despite her extensive career, Cissy remained deeply connected to her roots in New Jersey. For decades, she led the 200-member Youth Inspirational Choir at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church, where Whitney also sang as a child. Even though Cissy claimed to have discouraged Whitney from pursuing a career in show business, their musical paths remained intertwined through church performances, television appearances, and studio recordings. Whitney made her national television debut alongside her mother during a medley of Franklin hits on “The Merv Griffin Show” and also worked with Cissy on “I Know Him So Well” from Whitney’s successful album.
The two frequently performed together, including in the 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife.” However, Whitney’s struggles with substance abuse would eventually overshadow her career, culminating in her tragic death on February 11, 2012. In her 2013 memoir “Remembering Whitney,” Cissy expressed concerns about her daughter’s husband, Bobby Brown, holding him partially accountable for Whitney’s struggles.
Tragedy struck the family again in 2015 when they lost Cissy’s granddaughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who was found unconscious in a bathtub. Despite being in a coma for months, she passed away at just 22 years old.
Cissy Houston’s life was marked by remarkable musical achievements, unwavering devotion to family, and resilience, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the music world. She was married to Whitney’s father, entertainment executive John Russell Houston, from 1959 until their separation in 1990.
