On Monday, we lost one of the great singers of our time, Cissy Houston. The gospel legend was a Grammy winner who inspired generations of artists, most notably her daughter, Whitney Houston. Cissy — given name Emily Drinkard — passed away at 90 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Suggested Reading
She leaves behind a loving family and legions of fans who will never forget how she was one of the artists that made gospel accessible and mainstream. As we celebrate her legacy, we’re taking a look at the beautiful life of Cissy Houston.
Sweet Inspirations
The youngest of eight children, Emily Drinkard originally sang in a gospel group with her sisters. Later, she joined the girl group Sweet Inspirations, replacing her niece Dionne Warwick when she left the group in 1963. Eventually, Houston left to start her own solo singing career.
Cissy and Dionne
Houston and her niece, Dionne Warwick, stayed close throughout their respective careers, with the “Walk on By” singer viewing her aunt as a role model.
Backing Up Legends
The Sweet Inspirations backed up legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix. As a solo singer, Houston also backed up Chaka Khan. This contributed to Whitney growing up surrounded by the greatest performers of all time.
Marriage to John Houston
Houston married John in 1964. They raised three children together: Whitney, Michael and Gary. They stayed together until 1991; John passed away in 2003.
Gospel Powerhouse
She had a long successful career as a gospel singer, winning Grammys in the traditional soul album category. She also performed several duets with her daughter and Warwick.
Cissy Introduces Whitney
Whitney wanted to be a singer like her mom, and ultimately it was Houston who introduced the world to Whitney during a memorable appearance on “The Merv Griffin Show.” They also performed together, showcasing their beautiful bond.
Cissy and Whitney
Though Houston was open about how strict she was with her children, she and Whitney had a close relationship, never failing to show how much they loved and supported one another.
Celebrating Their Roots
The duo often highlighted their musical roots with unforgettable gospel duets. Who else would you call to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s birthday?
Whitney’s Death
When Whitney suddenly died in 2012, Houstin showed unimaginable strength in mourning her beloved daughter in front of the whole world.
Preserving Whitney’s Legacy
Following Whitney’s passing, it was up to Houston to keep her daughter’s amazing music legacy alive for her millions of fans. She made sure her child was honored for the groundbreaking artist she was and didn’t let her name get dragged through the mud.
Bobbi Kristina’s Death
Sadly, Houstin had to endure another public loss when her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown passed away in 2015.
‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’
Actress Tamara Tunie portrayed Houston in the 2022 biopic chronicling Whitney’s rise to fame and tragic downfall. She played her as a tough yet loving mother and mentor. She did her best to prepare her daughter as a singer, but who can really prepare for that level of fame?
Cissy’s Passing
Houston’s daughter-in-law, Pat Houston, released a statement honoring her mother-in-law, saying, “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives,” Pat said in a statement. “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.”
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
