Cissy Houston, Mother of Whitney Houston, Passes Away at 91
Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning mother of the late music icon Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 91. The news was confirmed by her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, in a heartfelt statement on Instagram. Pat Houston expressed her sorrow, stating, “It saddens my heart to announce the passing of my beloved Queen Cissy Houston today! Please keep the Houston family in your prayers.”
Born Emily Drinkard, Cissy Houston made a significant impact on the music industry, singing soul and gospel music. She had a successful career as a backup singer for legendary artists, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Dionne Warwick, and was part of the renowned group The Sweet Inspirations.
In addition to being Whitney Houston’s mother, Cissy was the aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and a cousin of the celebrated opera singer Leontyne Price. She was also a prolific session singer, contributing her vocals to numerous tracks by a wide range of artists, from Jimi Hendrix to Beyoncé.
Cissy Houston’s talent as a gospel soloist earned her Grammy awards for her albums “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me” in the late 1990s. Her daughter, Whitney Houston, became one of the best-selling musical artists in history, known for her powerful vocals on timeless hits like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Whitney Houston tragically passed away in 2012 at the age of 48, just a day before the Grammy Awards, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence artists today.
