Mariah Carey Announces the Death of Her Mother and Sister

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mariah Carey has announced the passing of her mother, Patricia, and her sister, Alison, on the same day. In a statement released on Monday, the Grammy-winning singer expressed, “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend. Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day.”

Carey added, “I feel blessed that I was able to spend the last week with my mom before she passed.” She also requested respect for her privacy during this immensely difficult time.

Reports indicate that Alison, who was 63 years old, passed away due to complications related to organ function while in hospice care. Patricia, aged 87, was noted for her background as a Juilliard-trained opera singer and served as a significant inspiration for Carey throughout her life.

In her memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” released in 2020, the singer described her complex relationship with both her mother and sister, detailing feelings of pain and confusion due to their interactions. Despite the challenges faced, she underscored the influence of her mother in her music career, stating, “I would sing little tunes around the house, to my mother’s delight. And she always encouraged me.”

The relationship between Carey and her sister Alison was also described as complicated. The memoir reveals that Carey felt it was safer emotionally and physically to maintain distance from both Alison and her brother Morgan. Following the publication of the memoir, Alison filed a lawsuit against Carey for emotional distress.