Cissy Houston, Grammy-Winning Gospel Singer and Mother of Whitney Houston, Dies at 91

Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning gospel powerhouse known for her soaring vocals and collaborations with legends like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, died Monday at her Newark, N.J. home. She was 91.

Houston, who was also the mother of pop icon Whitney Houston, was under hospice care for Alzheimer's disease, her family confirmed. "We lost the matriarch of our family," daughter-in-law Pat Houston said in a statement. "Mother Cissy was a strong and towering figure in our lives... Her more than seven-decade career in music will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”

Captured this 📸 cherished moment between Cissy Houston and Cicely Tyson at Whitney Houston’s “SPARKLE” movie premiere.

When Great Trees Fall 💔

Cissy Houston, the mother of superstar Whitney Houston and a two-time Grammy winner who performed alongside superstar musicians like… pic.twitter.com/pt2ABfK78F

— B Michael (@bmichaelAmerica) October 7, 2024

Born Emily Drinkard in Newark, Houston's musical roots began in the church. She gained fame in the 1960s with the Sweet Inspirations, backing Franklin on hits like "Think." Her voice graced classics like Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man."

Houston toured with Elvis Presley, who affectionately nicknamed her "Squirrelly." She later launched a successful solo career, winning two Grammys for her gospel albums. Her collaborations spanned genres, including work with Luther Vandross, Paul Simon, and her daughter Whitney.

#cissyhouston 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/fnaQ3e46Q8

— 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐘. (@NippysApplehead) October 7, 2024

Though initially wary of the music industry, Houston championed Whitney's rise to stardom. They performed together often, including a duet of "I Know Him So Well." In her memoir, Houston described their bond as complex but filled with love. Whitney's death in 2012, followed by the passing of her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown in 2015, left a profound sadness.

In 2013, Aretha Franklin & Cissy Houston headlined McDonald's Gospelfest in Cissy's hometown of Newark, NJ. Here is rare footage of the two old friends bumping into each other backstage at @PruCenter at the end of the night. pic.twitter.com/AZ0NA7Exz8

— 365 Days of Aretha Franklin (@365DaysOfAretha) October 7, 2024

Despite her fame, Houston remained dedicated to her Newark community and the New Hope Baptist Church, where she and Whitney sang as children.

"Her contributions to music and culture are unparalleled," the family shared in a statement. "We are blessed that God allowed her to spend so many years with us."