Cissy Houston Alive: How the Soul Legend Overcame Grief and Illness

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Who is Cissy Houston?

Cissy Houston is an American soul and gospel singer, who is best known as the mother of the late Whitney Houston and the aunt of Dionne Warwick. She was born on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, and started singing in the church choir and later in a gospel group called the Drinkard Singers. She also sang backup for artists such as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Luther Vandross. She embarked on a solo career in the 1970s and won two Grammy Awards for her gospel albums.

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Cissy Houston is also a mother of three children, Whitney, Gary, and Michael, and a grandmother of six grandchildren, including Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney’s daughter. She is also a cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price and a mentor to many young singers. 

How did Cissy Houston cope with the deaths of Whitney and Bobbi Kristina?

Cissy Houston faced two tragic losses in her life when her daughter Whitney and her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina died within three years of each other. Whitney Houston, who was 48 years old, died on February 11, 2012, due to accidental drowning and drug intoxication. She was found unconscious in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. 2 Bobbi Kristina Brown, who was 22 years old, died on July 26, 2015, due to lobar pneumonia and brain damage. She was found unresponsive in a bathtub at her home in Roswell, Georgia, on January 31, 2015, and remained in a coma until her death. 

Cissy Houston was devastated by the deaths of her loved ones and struggled to cope with the grief and the pain. She said that she felt angry, guilty, and helpless, and that she questioned God and her faith. She also said that she felt lonely and lost without them and that she missed their voices and their smiles. She said that she found some comfort in her music, her family, and her fans. 

Cissy Houston also wrote two books to honor the memories of Whitney and Bobbi Kristina. She published Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped in 2013, and A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston in 2019. She said that she wanted to share the truth and the love behind their lives and their legacy. 

Is Cissy Houston still alive and how is her health?

Yes, Cissy Houston is still alive and living in New Jersey. She is 87 years old and has been battling dementia in recent years. According to her family, she was diagnosed with the condition in 2018 and has been receiving treatment and care ever since. They said that she has been experiencing memory loss, confusion, and repetition, and that she needs assistance with her daily activities. They also said that she is grateful for the support and the prayers of her fans and friends. 

Cissy Houston’s health has been a subject of concern and speculation for many people, especially after she was hospitalized in 2019 for an infection. She has also been the target of several death hoaxes and rumors, claiming that she died in 2020 or 2021. These hoaxes and rumors have been debunked and denied by her family, friends, and representatives, who said that they were hurtful and disrespectful to her and her legacy. They also asked for privacy and respect during this difficult time. 

Cissy Houston has not made many public appearances or statements in the past few years, due to her health and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she has occasionally expressed her gratitude and appreciation for her fans and her colleagues, and has shown her support for various causes and events. She also celebrated her 87th birthday in September 2020, with a virtual party and a cake. 

How to celebrate Cissy Houston and her music?

Cissy Houston is one of the most respected and influential singers in the music industry. She has inspired and entertained millions of people around the world with her soulful and powerful voice and her gospel and R&B songs. She has also contributed to various social and charitable organizations, such as the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, the New Hope Baptist Church, and the Cissy Houston Academy of Music. 

Even though she is not active in the music scene anymore, she is still a legend and a treasure to many fans and musicians. Therefore, it is important to celebrate and appreciate Cissy Houston and her music, and to respect her wishes and her privacy. Some of the ways to do this are:

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