Cissy Houston, Grammy-winning singer and mother of Whitney Houston, dead at 91

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

In a heartfelt statement, her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, expressed the family’s sorrow: “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family. Mother Cissy has been 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 remain at the forefront of our hearts.” Pat Houston further emphasized Cissy’s impact on music and culture, stating, “Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled.”

Born Emily Drinkard, Cissy was the youngest of eight children in the Drinkard family, raised by parents Nitcholas and Delia Mae Drinkard. She received her education in the Newark Public School system and was deeply involved in her local church, New Hope Baptist Church, where she later became the Minister of Sacred Music.

Cissy’s musical journey began early. At just five years old, she joined her siblings—sister Anne and brothers Larry and Nicky—in a gospel group called The Drinkard Four. The group later evolved into The Drinkard Singers, expanding to include Cissy’s sisters Lee and Marie. The group underwent several changes, including the addition of Judy Clay, Lee’s adopted daughter, after Anne left.

The Drinkard Singers showcased their talent at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957. They also recorded their first live gospel album, “A Joyful Noise,” at Webster Hall in New York City, which was released in 1959 on RCA Records—one of the first major label albums by a gospel group.

In 1963, Cissy Houston helped form The Sweet Inspirations, a group that provided backup vocals for numerous iconic artists throughout the 1960s, including Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, and Otis Redding. This collaboration further solidified her reputation as a sought-after vocalist in the music industry. Cissy released her first solo LP, “Presenting Cissy Houston,” in 1969, marking the start of a successful solo career.

Throughout her life, Cissy Houston garnered two Grammy Awards and recorded ten solo albums, along with four compilation albums and five collaborative projects. Her impressive roster of collaborators spans various genres, including legends like Elvis Presley, David Bowie, and her daughter Whitney Houston. The loss of Whitney in 2012 at the age of 48 was a profound sorrow for Cissy, who had always been a strong support for her daughter’s career.

In 2013, Cissy penned a memoir titled “Remember Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped.” During an appearance on “The View,” she explained that her motivation for writing the book was to share the real Whitney Houston, countering misconceptions about her daughter’s life and struggles. Cissy described Whitney as “a wonderful, giving, loving kid” who, despite her faults, brought joy to those around her.

Cissy Houston is also survived by her sons, Gary and Michael, and several grandchildren. Tragically, her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown passed away just three years after Whitney, at the age of 22.

Pat Houston reflected on the family’s gratitude for Cissy’s life and the lessons she imparted, stating, “We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney, and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and other cherished family members.”

Cissy Houston’s legacy as a remarkable artist and devoted family member will continue to resonate, leaving a lasting impact on the music world and in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.