Cissy Houston, a renowned gospel singer and the mother of the late music superstar Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91. Houston died on Monday morning in her New Jersey home while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, surrounded by her family. According to her daughter-in-law Pat Houston, Cissy’s contributions to popular music and culture are “unparalleled”. Family members described her as a strong and towering figure, with a deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community.
Throughout her seven-decade-long career, Cissy Houston was a prominent figure in the music industry, performing alongside legendary artists such as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. She was part of the vocal group The Sweet Inspirations, which sang backing vocals for various soul singers, including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, and Dionne Warwick. She also appeared on stage with Presley in a Las Vegas show in 1969 and recorded several albums with the group.
In the 1970s, Houston began to pursue a solo career, recording over 600 songs in multiple genres. Her vocals could be heard on tracks alongside a wide range of artists, including Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, and her daughter Whitney. She won two Grammy Awards for her albums “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me” in the best traditional soul gospel album category.
Cissy Houston (Image via Getty)
In addition to her music career, Houston wrote three books: “He Leadeth Me”, “How Sweet The Sound: My Life With God And Gospel”, and “Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story Of Life, Loss And The Night The Music Stopped”. Houston was also a devoted mother and caregiver, having raised her own children while also supporting her daughter Whitney’s burgeoning music career.
As the family requested, they respectfully request privacy during this difficult time, acknowledging the outpouring of love and support from fans and friends. Cissy Houston’s legacy as a singer, songwriter, and mother will continue to be celebrated and remembered by those who knew and admired her.
