Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning singer and mother of the late singer Whitney Houston, has died at 91.
The news was confirmed by a representative for The Estate of Whitney E. Houston.
“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family,” her daughter-in-law Pat Houston said. “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. Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled.”
Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. She took an interest in music from a young age and joined a gospel singing group with her siblings. Despite a change in-group members, The Drinkard Singers continued performing and even made the first gospel record to be backed by a major label.
Houston decided to form another group, The Sweet Inspirations, which consisted of Doris Troy, Dee Dee Warwick and Dionne Warwick. Like her previous group, The Sweet Inspirations also experienced a change in members but continued to be successful. The group worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley. Houston also recorded solo singles during this time and released Presenting Cissy Houston on Janus Records in 1970.
Even after years of singing, Houston continued releasing music and won Grammy Awards in 1997 and 1999 for Best Traditional Gospel Album. Her career as a singer kept her busy but she also took time to focus on her children, one of which is the legendary Whitney Houston. Additionally, Houston has received two honorary doctorates and a Medal for Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership.
Just two years after Cissy Houston’s birth, vocalist Johnny Mathis was born on September 30, 1935, in Gilmer, Texas. The Mathis family relocated to California, which became the origin of his passion for music. Mathis strengthened his talents by singing in the church choir, at community events, and even taking vocal lessons.
While in high school and college, Mathis also proved to be a talented athlete. Although Mathis loved music, he attended college and studied English and Physical Education. However, that did not stop him from singing. Mathis eventually caught the attention of an A&R executive at Columbia Records and was given the opportunity to record his first album in 1956.
Mathis has recorded popular songs such as “Chances Are,” “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” and “Misty.” He has won numerous awards including an induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mathis has released an impressive 79 studio albums and he continues to be enjoyed by new audiences.
When Whitney tragically passed away in 2012 at the age of 48, Cissy carried forward her daughter’s legacy. In 2013, she released her memoir, Remember Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped, where she shared intimate reflections on Whitney’s life. “She was a wonderful, giving, loving kid,” Cissy said, emphasizing that despite her daughter’s fame and struggles, she was more than what the public saw.
Cissy Houston was a mother to sons Gary and Michael and a grandmother to several grandchildren, including Bobbi Kristina Brown, who heartbreakingly passed away at 22, just three years after Whitney.
In reflecting on Cissy Houston’s incredible life, her family expressed their gratitude for the years they had with her and cherished the life lessons she imparted. As they said in their heartfelt statement, “May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney, her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina, and the many family members who went before her.”
