Farewell to a Legend: Cissy Houston, Grammy-Winning Artist and Beloved Mother of Whitney Houston, Dies at 91

Cissy Houston, the iconic gospel singer and mother of the late Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 91. According to PEOPLE, she passed away at her home in New Jersey on October 7, while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, as confirmed by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston. Cissy was also the aunt of famous singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.

Her musical journey began in 1938 when she joined her sister Anne and brothers Larry and Nicky to form the Drinkard Four. In 1963, she established the Sweet Inspirations alongside her niece Dee Dee Warwick. The group quickly gained recognition, providing backing vocals for notable artists such as Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Wilson Pickett, and later collaborated with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Elvis Presley.

As a solo artist, Cissy released her first record, “This Is My Vow,” in 1963, although her name was initially spelled “Sissie.” Her debut album, Presenting Cissy Houston, came out in 1970, featuring popular tracks like “Be My Baby” and “I’ll Be There.” She also contributed backing vocals to Bette Midler’s debut album in 1972. Throughout her career, Cissy won two Grammy Awards: one in 1996 for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for Face to Face and another in 1998 for He Leadeth Me. Cissy was married to NBA player Gary Garland from 1955 until their separation in 1997, and they had one son, Gary. She later met John Russell Houston, the father of Michael and Whitney, with whom she separated in 1991.

Cissy is survived by six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In 2013, she published a memoir titled Remembering Whitney, where she openly discussed Whitney’s struggles with addiction and the tragic circumstances surrounding her death in February 2012.

Cissy had confessed that the sudden passing of her daughter weighed heavily on her. “I’m angry she died alone, in those conditions,” she says. “I’m still mad about that.” Nearly five months after the tragedy, Houston paid homage to Whitney at the BET Awards by delivering a heartfelt performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Rest in heavenly peace, Cissy Houston.