Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning singer and mother of Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91.

Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning singer and mother of Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91.

Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning singer and mother of Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 91, as confirmed by Gwendolyn Quinn, a representative for The Estate of Whitney E. Houston. She passed away on Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET while receiving hospice care, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

In a heartfelt statement, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston expressed, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family. Mother Cissy was 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 always remain in our hearts.” Pat Houston also emphasized, “Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled.”

Born Emily Drinkard, Cissy was the youngest of eight children of Nitcholas and Delia Mae Drinkard. She was educated in the Newark Public School system and attended New Hope Baptist Church, where she later became Minister of Sacred Music. At just five years old, she began her singing career with her siblings in the gospel group The Drinkard Four. The group eventually evolved into The Drinkard Singers, featuring future stars like Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick.

Cissy Houston performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival and recorded their first live gospel album, “A Joyful Noise,” in 1959, marking a significant milestone for gospel music on major record labels.

In 1963, she formed the original lineup of The Sweet Inspirations, providing background vocals for iconic artists such as Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, and Otis Redding. Cissy released her first solo LP, “Presenting Cissy Houston,” in 1969 and enjoyed a successful career as both a solo artist and backup vocalist for stars across various genres, including Bette Midler, Beyoncé, and her daughter Whitney.

Cissy authored a memoir in 2013 titled “Remember Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped,” where she aimed to portray her daughter in a more authentic light, highlighting her kindness and generosity.

She is survived by her sons Gary and Michael, as well as several grandchildren. Pat Houston remarked, “We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us. May she rest in peace alongside her daughter Whitney, granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other cherished family members.”