News | Entertainment
4 Jan 2025 13:41
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Cissy Houston's family is "devastated" by her death

    The Grammy-winning matriarch, whose stellar performing career saw her sing alongside icons including Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, passed away on Monday (07.10.24) morning in New Jersey home after a battle with Alzheimer's led to her being placed under hospice care


    A source has since tole People about how her loved ones have been left reeling by her death: "The family is taking it hard. They're getting through, but it is very difficult right now."

    The insider added Cissy - who adopted the stage name after being born Emily Drinkard - lived a "long, blessed life".

    As well as being the mother of tragic singer Whitney - who accidentally drowned in a hotel bath aged 48 in 2012 after years of drug abuse - Cissy was an aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.

    She kicked off her singing career in 1938, joining her sister Anne and two brothers Larry and Nicky in a group called the Drinkard Four.

    Cissy's death was confirmed on Monday by her daughter-in-law Pat Houston who said in a statement: "Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost 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."

    Cissy's musical career also saw her join vocal group the Sweet Inspirations, with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee.

    They sang backup for a variety of soul singing legends including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, the Drifters and Dionne Warwick.

    The group also appeared on Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl hit and sang background vocals for the Jimi Hendrix Experience - on the song 'Burning of the Midnight Lamp'.

    Her final performance with the Sweet Inspirations came after the group joined Elvis on stage for his famous Las Vegas show in 1969.

    Cissy's two Grammys came for her albums 'Face to Face' and 'He Leadeth Me', after years of gospel singing.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     04 Jan: Billie Eilish has shared a never-before-seen snap of herself with her late family dog to mark Christmas and her birthday
     04 Jan: Heather Small wants to travel more in 2025
     04 Jan: Hannah Waddingham uses her Emmy Award to "prop up" recipes and to-do lists
     04 Jan: Simon Cowell won't make a movie about his life unless he is dying
     04 Jan: Anthony Hopkins is celebrating 49 years of sobriety
     04 Jan: Brandi Glanville has defended spending Christmas with her former husband Eddie Cibrian and his wife LeAnn Rimes
     04 Jan: Eric Roberts' squirrel sanctuary is his ultimate escape
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    To the darts world championship final in London.. More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Reserve Bank remains on standby over summer, as the US prepares for a handover of power, and uncertainty continues in the Middle East and Ukraine More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Billie Eilish has shared a never-before-seen snap of herself with her late family dog to mark Christmas and her birthday 13:26

    Soccer:
    Luke Littler has clinched the world darts championship title with a 7-3 romp over three-time former world champ Michael van Gerwen in the final 13:26

    Soccer:
    Mo Salah claims there's been no progress on a possible contract extension with Liverpool, indicating this is likely his last year at the club 13:26

    Wellington:
    State Highway Two, over the Remutaka Hill, north of Wellington, is expected to be closed for hours after a serious crash 13:06

    Entertainment:
    Heather Small wants to travel more in 2025 12:56

    Entertainment:
    Hannah Waddingham uses her Emmy Award to "prop up" recipes and to-do lists 12:26

    Entertainment:
    Simon Cowell won't make a movie about his life unless he is dying 11:56

    Tennis:
    ASB women's tennis Classic organisers have been forced to again tinker with schedules after rain delayed the start to day six by 50 minutes 11:56

    Motoring:
    Republicans control the new Congress. But it could still obstruct Trump's plans 11:46

    Entertainment:
    Anthony Hopkins is celebrating 49 years of sobriety 11:26


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd