In breaking news, it has been confirmed that Cissy Houston – mother of the late, great Whitney Houston – has died.

Full story below…

The news was first reported by the Associated Press.

Cissy was 91.

It has been shared that she passed at her New Jersey home while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by her family.

Pat Houston, Cissy’s daughter-in-law and head of the Whitney Houston Estate, said in a statement:

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss 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.”

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A hugely respected Gospel trailblazer, who is a GRAMMY Award winner in her own right, the matriarch was a staple figure in Whitney’s life – both personally and professionally.

Ever present by Whitney’s side as she rose through the ranks, Cissy continued to be a rock for her daughter as she achieved meteoric success and navigated challenging times up until her death in 2012.

May she rest in peace.

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