Family tragedy of Whitney Houston: who were her parents?
8 october 2024 в 00:13
Singer «I Will Always Love You» Whitney Houston was a successful singer and actress who tragically passed away on February 11, 2012. Throughout her life, she became one of the best-selling artists of all time and even managed to win six Grammy Awards. She also starred in hit movies such as «The Bodyguard», - «Sparkle», - and «Waiting to Exhale». Despite Whitney’s own success as a singer, she was raised by her talented mother, Cissy Houston, who was also a singer. Unfortunately, Cissy passed away at the age of 91 in October 2024. Keep reading to learn more about Whitney’s parents, including her father’s manager, John Russell Houston.
Whitney’s mother, Cissy, was a successful singer in her own right. Born Emily «Cissy» Houston in Newark, New Jersey, the 91-year-old woman was known for her songs «Think It Over», - «Tomorrow», - «Nothing Can Stop Me», - and others. The gospel singer started out as a backing vocalist for many iconic artists, including Roy Hamilton, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and others. Later, Cissy embarked on a solo career and became so successful that she won just two Grammy Awards. The singer of the song «This Empty Place» even collaborated with Whitney on several tracks, including «I Know Him So Well», - «Ain't No Way», - and «You Send Me».
In 2013, a year after Whitney’s death, Cissy released a book «Remembering Whitney» about her daughter. She opened up about the moment she found out her daughter had passed away during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that same year. «My son called me and was screaming, 'Mom! Mom!'», - she recalled. «I asked, 'Is she dead?' and he said, 'Yes, Mom, she’s dead,' and I don’t remember too much after that». Cissy told Oprah that she was «in ruins» and «alone» when she received the devastating news.
John was not only Whitney’s father but also her talent manager for many years. Unfortunately, the businessman passed away on February 2, 2003, almost 10 years before his daughter. Although he helped the singer of «I Have Nothing» build her career, ultimately their relationship became tumultuous. A year before his death, John Houston’s company, John Houston Entertainment, filed a lawsuit against Whitney for «breach of contract», - according to MTV News. The lawsuit amounted to a total of $ 100 million, and when Whitney opened up about it on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009, she said she believed her father was «under the influence» of other people.
«My father was under the influence of people who were lying to my father», - Whitney shared at the time. «My father was sick at the time, he was in the hospital. I was paying the bills, I was taking care of my father». Despite their ups and downs, Whitney told the author of Own It that she had «forgiven» John. «Absolutely, I love my father», - she said. «And I knew he was sick, he was eighty years old at the time, he was constantly in the hospital with heart problems». Whitney also revealed that there was a period of «years» when they «didn't talk at all». However, when he became seriously ill, Whitney decided to put an end to the discord.
Cissy and John were married from 1959 until their divorce in 1990. During their marriage, they welcomed two children, Whitney and her brother Michael Houston. Cissy also welcomed her son, Gary Garland, with her first husband, Freddie Garland, in 1957. Gary is a gospel singer, like his mother, and Michael also began a singing career, according to Distractify
Whitney’s mother, Cissy, was a successful singer in her own right. Born Emily «Cissy» Houston in Newark, New Jersey, the 91-year-old woman was known for her songs «Think It Over», - «Tomorrow», - «Nothing Can Stop Me», - and others. The gospel singer started out as a backing vocalist for many iconic artists, including Roy Hamilton, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and others. Later, Cissy embarked on a solo career and became so successful that she won just two Grammy Awards. The singer of the song «This Empty Place» even collaborated with Whitney on several tracks, including «I Know Him So Well», - «Ain't No Way», - and «You Send Me».
In 2013, a year after Whitney’s death, Cissy released a book «Remembering Whitney» about her daughter. She opened up about the moment she found out her daughter had passed away during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that same year. «My son called me and was screaming, 'Mom! Mom!'», - she recalled. «I asked, 'Is she dead?' and he said, 'Yes, Mom, she’s dead,' and I don’t remember too much after that». Cissy told Oprah that she was «in ruins» and «alone» when she received the devastating news.
John was not only Whitney’s father but also her talent manager for many years. Unfortunately, the businessman passed away on February 2, 2003, almost 10 years before his daughter. Although he helped the singer of «I Have Nothing» build her career, ultimately their relationship became tumultuous. A year before his death, John Houston’s company, John Houston Entertainment, filed a lawsuit against Whitney for «breach of contract», - according to MTV News. The lawsuit amounted to a total of $ 100 million, and when Whitney opened up about it on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2009, she said she believed her father was «under the influence» of other people.
«My father was under the influence of people who were lying to my father», - Whitney shared at the time. «My father was sick at the time, he was in the hospital. I was paying the bills, I was taking care of my father». Despite their ups and downs, Whitney told the author of Own It that she had «forgiven» John. «Absolutely, I love my father», - she said. «And I knew he was sick, he was eighty years old at the time, he was constantly in the hospital with heart problems». Whitney also revealed that there was a period of «years» when they «didn't talk at all». However, when he became seriously ill, Whitney decided to put an end to the discord.
Cissy and John were married from 1959 until their divorce in 1990. During their marriage, they welcomed two children, Whitney and her brother Michael Houston. Cissy also welcomed her son, Gary Garland, with her first husband, Freddie Garland, in 1957. Gary is a gospel singer, like his mother, and Michael also began a singing career, according to Distractify
© Smirnova Olga
