Cissy Houston | |
|---|---|
Houston in 1975 | |
| Born | Emily Drinkard September 30, 1933 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | October 7, 2024 (aged 91) Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1938–2018 |
| Spouses | Freddie Garland
(m. 1955; div. 1964)John Houston Jr.
(m. 1964; div. 1991) |
| Children | 3, including Whitney and Gary |
| Relatives |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels |
|
Emily "Cissy" Houston (née Drinkard; September 30, 1933 – October 7, 2024) was an American soul and gospel singer. After a successful career singing backup for such artists as Roy Hamilton, Dionne Warwick (her niece), Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Chaka Khan, Houston embarked on a solo career, winning two Grammy Awards for her work.
Houston was the mother of singer and actress Whitney Houston, the aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and a cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price. Houston was the grandmother of Whitney Houston's only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown.
Houston died on October 7, 2024 under hospice care in Newark, New Jersey from problems caused by Alzheimer's disease at the age of 91.