CISSY HOUSTON BIOGRAPHY, EDUCATION, CAREER, CONTROVERSIES AND DEATH
|Cissy Houston ( 30 September 1933 – 7 October 2024 ) in Newark, New Jersey, is a renowned American gospel and soul singer. She is best known as the mother of legendary singer Whitney Houston and as a prominent figure in her own right in the music industry.
CISSY HOUSTON PROFILE
Name | Cissy Houston |
Real Name | Emily Drinkard |
Date of Birth | 30 September 1933 |
Date of Death | 7 October 2024 |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Gospel Singer |
Religion | Christain |
Marital Status | Married |
Net Worth | $7 Million |
Copied From | Contents101.com |
CISSY HOUSTON BIOGRAPHY
Born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, Cissy Houston was the youngest of eight children in a musical family. Her parents, Nicholas “Nitch” Drinkard and Delia Mae Drinkard (née McCaskill), were part of the Great Migration, moving north from the South in search of better opportunities.
Houston was raised in the Methodist Episcopal faith, where she discovered her passion for music and “found Christ” at the age of 14.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Cissy attended South Side High School.
CAREER
Cissy Houston’s career took off in the 1960s and 1970s, establishing her as a prominent figure in gospel and soul music. She released several solo albums, showcasing her powerful voice and emotional delivery. Her 1996 album Face to Face won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, featuring a gospel rendition of “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).”
Her exceptional talent caught the attention of major music stars, leading to collaborations with legends like Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Dionne Warwick, who was her niece.
CONTROVERSIES
There are no significant controversies connected to Cissy Houston.
PERSONAL LIFE
In 1955, Houston married Freddie Garland, and they welcomed a son, Gary Garland, in 1957, who later became an NBA player and was inducted into the DePaul University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Following her marriage to Garland, Houston met John Russell Houston Jr. in 1958. They had two children together: Michael, born in 1961, who became a songwriter and road manager, and Whitney, ( 1963 – 2012 ) who rose to international fame as a singer and actress.
CISSY HOUSTON NET WORTH
During her lifetime, Cissy had an estimated net Worth of $7 million.
DEATH
In her later years, she faced health challenges, including Alzheimer’s disease, which led her to hospice care. Cissy Houston passed away at her home in Newark, New Jersey, on October 7, 2024, at the age of 91.