Cissy Houston, the revered mother of the late Whitney Houston and a celebrated gospel singer in her own right, has passed away at the age of 91. Houston died at her home in New Jersey on October 7 while receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, as confirmed by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston.
In a heartfelt statement, Pat Houston expressed the family’s profound sorrow, saying, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. 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.”
Pat continued, “Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled. We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and thankful for all the invaluable life lessons she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney, and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, along with other cherished family members.”
Cissy Houston was not only a musical icon but also the aunt of renowned singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick. Her musical journey began in 1938 when she joined her siblings in the group known as the Drinkard Four.
In 1963, Houston formed a band called the Sweet Inspirations with her niece, Dee Dee Warwick. The ensemble soon became a sought-after backup group, lending their vocals to celebrated artists such as Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Wilson Pickett, as well as working with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Elvis Presley.
As a solo artist, Houston released her first record, “This Is My Vow,” in 1963, with her name initially spelled “Sissie” Houston. Her solo debut album, Presenting Cissy Houston, was released in 1970 and featured hits like “Be My Baby” and “I’ll Be There.” Houston received two Grammy Awards during her career: one in 1996 for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for Face to Face and another in 1998 for He Leadeth Me.
Warwick reflected on Houston’s legacy, stating, “Cissy had an incredible voice, and that transferred to her little baby, Whitney. Whitney came up exactly the way we all did, in the church choir. It was just preordained; she was going to sing.”
Houston also recorded a duet with Whitney titled “I Know Him So Well” in 1987 and collaborated on “Family First” with Dionne and Whitney in 2006.
In her personal life, Houston was married to NBA player Gary Garland from 1955 to 1997, with whom she had a son, Gary. She later met John Russell Houston, the father of Whitney and Michael, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship, legally separating in 1991. Together, they shared six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
In 2013, Cissy Houston released a candid memoir titled Remembering Whitney, where she openly discussed Whitney’s struggles with addiction and the devastating circumstances surrounding her death by drowning in February 2012, with cocaine present in her system. Reflecting on her daughter’s battles, Cissy stated, “She started partying and she didn’t really know how to stop.”
Houston’s sorrow over Whitney’s untimely death lingered, as she admitted, “I’m still mad about that.” In a poignant tribute to her daughter, Houston performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water” at the BET Awards shortly after Whitney’s passing.
Music producer Maureen Crowe honored Houston’s legacy, saying, “Cissy Houston was a powerful vocal icon whose standards are felt today. She taught Whitney how to sing and the generations that followed. The Whitney tribute at the 50th Anniversary AMA was also a tribute to Cissy. She dedicated her life to her family, her faith, and to music. My heartfelt sympathies go to the family.”
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