91-year-old Cissy Houston passed away on October 7, 2024, leaving behind a lasting legacy through her late husband and children.
Key Takeaways
- Cissy Houston was an American soul and gospel singer, founding member of The Sweet Inspirations, and won two Grammys in her solo career.
- In 1955, Cissy Houston married Freddie Garland. In 1964, Cissy Houston married John Houston Jr.
- Cissy Houston had three children. Gary Garland, Whitney Houston, and Michael Houston.
Cissy Houston, born Emily Drinkard, (1933 – 2024) was an American soul and gospel singer.
She was primarily known for her powerful voice and significant contribution to music.
Cissy Houston was a founding member of the R&B group “The Sweet Inspirations“, providing backup vocals for legendary artists such as Roy Hamilton, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Chaka Khan.
Moreover, in 1970 she launched a solo career and went on to win two Grammy awards.
Together again ❤️ Rest in peace Cissy Houston 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/SbqI5IgUX6
— Whitney Archive ♡ (@nippyfiles) October 7, 2024
In 1955, Cissy Houston married Freddie Garland.
However, in 1958, Cissy Houston met Russel Houston Jr., with whom she began a relationship while she was still married to her husband, Freddie Garland.
Ultimately, in 1964, Cissy Houston would divorce Freddie Garland.
Following her divorce from Garland, Cissy Houston and John Houston Jr. married in 1964.
John Houston Jr., a World War II veteran, later managed Cissy Houston’s group, The Sweet Inspirations.
In 1976, John Houston Jr. suffered a heart attack.
Their marriage would become strained after John’s heart attack, and they legally separated in 1977.
Ultimately, Cissy Houston and her husband John Houston Jr. divorced in 1991.
Cissy Houston / Whitney Houston / John Houston pic.twitter.com/yllFsF0JpF
— The Whitney Houston Platinum Club (@WhitneyPlatinum) July 27, 2023
From her marriage to Freddie Garland, Cissy Houston gave birth to her eldest son.
Gary Garland, born in 1957, became an NBA player.
Gary played basketball for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA.
Furthermore, Gary Garland earned a spot in the DePaul University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Cissy Houston’s second son, Michael Houston, born in 1961, was a songwriter and road manager.
Additionally, Michael contributed to his sibling Whitney Houston’s career.
And lastly, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston’s youngest and most famous of her children, achieved global stardom as a singer and actress.
Whitney Houston had numerous hits, including “I Will Always Love You“, and earned six Grammy Awards during her career.
whitney houston, 1987
— pop culture archive (@PopHistories) April 11, 2024
photographed by richard avedon pic.twitter.com/f6sLRfHglG
In the late ’90s, as Whitney Houston struggled with drug addiction, her mother, Cissy Houston staged multiple interventions.
Moreover, Cissy Houston obtained a court order to force Whitney into rehab.
Despite attending rehab programs, Whitney Houston continued to face challenges and tragically passed away on February 11, 2012, in Beverly Hills.
After her daughter’s passing, Cissy Houston expressed frustration with the media’s intrusive and inaccurate coverage of Whitney’s life and demise.
On October 7, 2024, Cissy Houston passed away at her home in Newark.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Cissy Houston had six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
- John Houston Jr. was married to Elsie Hamilton during his affair with Cissy Houston.
- John Houston Jr. passed away on February 2, 2003.
