Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston, dies at 91

In startling news, Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston’s mother, has died. The news was initially reported by the Associated Press. Cissy was 91.

As of this writing, the cause and date of her death had not been made public.

The matriarch, a gospel trailblazer and GRAMMY Award winner, was a constant presence in Whitney’s life, both personally and professionally.

Cissy was always by Whitney’s side as she progressed through the ranks, and she remained a rock for her daughter as she gained meteoric success and endured difficult times until her death in 2012.