Cissy Houston, Grammy-Winning Singer and Mother of Whitney Houston, Passes Away at 91

Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning singer and beloved mother of Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. According to a statement from Gwendolyn Quinn, a representative for The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, Cissy died peacefully on Monday morning, surrounded by family at 10:30 a.m. ET while receiving hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.

“We are heartbroken. We’ve lost the matriarch of our family,” said Pat Houston, Cissy’s daughter-in-law. “Mother Cissy was a strong and towering presence in our lives. Her faith, devotion to family, and her legendary music career will forever remain in our hearts. She was a woman of deep conviction, who cared immensely about her family, her ministry, and her community.”

Cissy Houston’s Remarkable Life and Legacy

Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933. She was the youngest of eight children to Nitcholas and Delia Mae Drinkard. She grew up in Newark, New Jersey, where she attended the city’s public schools and became involved in music at an early age. By age five, she was performing in her family’s gospel group, The Drinkard Four. The group later became The Drinkard Singers. It included future stars like Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.

The Drinkard Singers were pioneers in gospel music. They became one of the first gospel groups to release an album on a major label. This was achieved with their 1959 live recording, A Joyful Noise, on RCA Records. The group performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival, cementing their place in music history.

In the early 1960s, Cissy Houston co-founded The Sweet Inspirations. They were a highly sought-after backup vocal group. They performed with iconic artists such as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, and many more. Cissy’s remarkable talent as a vocalist soon led to her successful solo career. Her debut album, Presenting Cissy Houston, was released in 1969.

A Legendary Career Across Genres

Cissy Houston’s influence extended far beyond gospel music. She was a first-call backup vocalist. She worked with an impressive array of artists. These artists included Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Burt Bacharach, and her daughter Whitney Houston. She won two Grammy Awards during her solo career. She also recorded ten solo albums, four compilation albums, and several collaborative projects.

Houston’s contributions to popular music helped shape the sound of multiple genres. This ranges from gospel and soul to rock and pop. Her musical legacy spans over seven decades and continues to inspire artists across generations.

Family and Faith at the Core

Cissy Houston’s life was deeply rooted in faith and family. She was the mother of three children, including her son Gary and her legendary daughter Whitney Houston. Whitney Houston’s tragic passing in 2012 at the age of 48 was a deeply painful moment in Cissy’s life, as was the loss of her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, who passed away three years later at 22.

In 2013, Cissy Houston published a memoir, Remember Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped, to honor her daughter’s legacy and address the misconceptions surrounding Whitney’s life. In interviews, she often spoke of Whitney’s generosity, kindness, and talent, describing her as “a wonderful, giving, loving kid.”

A Life Well-Lived

Despite personal tragedy, Cissy Houston’s life was a testament to resilience and faith. She continued to serve as the Minister of Sacred Music at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where she began her spiritual and musical journey. Her influence extended to her grandchildren, and she played a pivotal role in her family’s life, instilling values of love, faith, and perseverance.

In a statement, Pat Houston reflected on Cissy’s passing: “We are incredibly blessed that God allowed her to spend so many years with us. She leaves behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and strength, and we will always cherish the life lessons she imparted to us.”

Cissy Houston’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy will endure through her vast contributions to music and her role as a loving matriarch. She now rests alongside her beloved daughter Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina.

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