This year marked two poignant anniversaries for fans of the legendary Whitney Houston. On February 11th, we quietly remembered the 12 years since the iconic singer left us. Sadly, on October 7th, another blow struck her legacy as Whitney’s mother, Cissy Houston, passed away at the age of 91. The woman who tirelessly kept her daughter’s memory alive is now gone.
Whitney Houston’s sudden passing in 2012 shocked the world
On February 11, 2012, the world of music was shaken when news broke of Whitney Houston’s unexpected death. One of the greatest voices in pop music, Whitney passed away at just 48 years old. She had dominated the pop scene with her powerful voice and regal presence, but her rise to fame was tragically marred by personal struggles. Her battle with drug addiction, erratic behavior, and tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown eventually overshadowed her once-glorious career.
Whitney Houston was found unresponsive in her fourth-floor suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel by local authorities. She was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m., as confirmed by Lieutenant Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills Police Department. Just two days before her death, Whitney had performed alongside Kelly Price at a pre-Grammy party.
The singer had been scheduled to attend the Grammy Awards that same week. She had also been involved in rehearsals for the show, coaching young singers Brandy and Monica. However, eyewitnesses reported that Whitney appeared disheveled, sweating profusely, and exuding the smell of alcohol and cigarettes.
Cissy Houston: a mother who kept her daughter’s legacy alive
Following Whitney Houston’s death in 2012, her mother, Cissy Houston, constantly wrestled with thoughts of whether she could have done something to save her daughter. In her 2013 memoir Remembering Whitney, she candidly reflected on the tragic loss.
“I believe I was a great mother, but I still wonder if I could have done more to save her. Why wouldn’t I? I still want her here with me,” Cissy shared in a heartfelt interview with PEOPLE. “I wish I could have saved her. It breaks my heart that she died alone, and in that kind of state.”
In her memoir, Cissy openly discussed Whitney’s struggles with addiction, ultimately leading to her untimely death. Whitney was found submerged in a hotel bathtub, with traces of cocaine still in her system.
Cissy Houston: a gospel legend in her own right
Cissy Houston, a celebrated gospel singer and Whitney’s devoted mother, passed away at the age of 91 on October 7, 2024. According to her family’s statement, she died peacefully in her New Jersey home under hospice care due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Pat Houston, Cissy’s daughter-in-law, expressed the family’s grief, saying, “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. We’ve lost the matriarch of our family.” Pat also praised Cissy as a “strong, imposing figure in the lives of everyone who knew her.”
Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1933, Cissy Houston was the youngest of eight children. She began her career early, forming a gospel group with her siblings. By the 1960s, she had found success with the R&B group Sweet Inspirations, providing backup vocals for artists such as Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick. The group’s contribution to Van Morrison’s hit Brown Eyed Girl became one of their standout performances.
Her career continued to flourish, and she sang alongside legends like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. After her time with Sweet Inspirations, Cissy launched a solo career, working with prominent artists including Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, and her late daughter, Whitney Houston. In 1997, Cissy won a Grammy Award for her traditional soul gospel album Face to Face, and the following year, she received another Grammy for He Leadeth Me.
Cissy also penned three books, including the memoir Remembering Whitney, a tribute to her daughter. Even at the age of 80, Cissy continued to perform, notably joining Aretha Franklin on The Late Show with David Letterman, where they delivered a stunning rendition of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep.
Conclusion: a legacy that lives on
Cissy Houston was more than just Whitney’s mother—she was a music icon in her own right. Her gospel career influenced generations of musicians, and she spent her later years safeguarding her daughter’s legacy. Whitney’s tragic end may have cast a shadow on her story, but Cissy ensured her light never fully dimmed. Now, with Cissy’s passing, the Houston family and the world of music lose another voice, but the legacies of both mother and daughter will continue to resonate through the music they left behind.
Fact-check
- Whitney Houston passed away on February 11, 2012, at the age of 48, not 49.
- Cissy Houston passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 91, in her New Jersey home, after battling Alzheimer’s disease.
- Cissy won two Grammy Awards for her gospel work, in 1997 and 1998.
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