Cissy Houston, the iconic gospel singer and mother of the late Whitney Houston, passed away at the age of 91 on October 7, 2024. Houston died peacefully at her New Jersey home under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston confirmed in a statement​.

“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 said​.

Cissy Houston was best known as a member of The Sweet Inspirations, a vocal group that backed up legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Elvis Presley​. She went on to have a highly successful solo career, winning two Grammy Awards for her gospel albums Face to Face (1996) and He Leadeth Me (1998)​.

Houston’s life and career spanned over seven decades, during which she recorded more than 600 songs across multiple genres​. Her influence on gospel music and pop culture is profound, with her family asking for privacy during this difficult time​.

She is survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be remembered for her monumental contributions to both music and her community​. Houston is now at rest alongside her daughter Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina​.

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