Cissy Houston has died aged 91 after battling with Alzheimer's

The gospel singer, who had shared stages with the likes of Chaka Khan, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé and Aretha Franklin, has sadly passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was also part of the R&B group, Sweet Inspirations, who provided backing vocals for Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick, and featured on Van Morrison’s track, "Brown Eyed Girl".

Together again Rest in peace Cissy Houston pic.twitter.com/SbqI5IgUX6

— Whitney Archive ♡ (@nippyfiles) October 7, 2024

In a statement to The Associated Press, her daughter-in-law said: "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," Pat Houston continued. "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... May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members.”