Mariah Carey says her ‘heart is broken’ after mother and sister die on same day
- The Grammy-winning singer expresses her grief during an ‘impossible time’ despite her ‘complicated’ relationship with her family members
Mariah Carey’s mother Patricia and sister Alison both died on the same day, the singer said on August 26.
“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,” the Grammy-winning singer said in a statement.
“I feel blessed that I was able to spend the last week with my mom before she passed,” the statement continued. “I appreciate everyone’s love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time.”
New York newspaper the Times Union reported that Carey’s sister, from who she was largely estranged, died at 63 from organ function complications, and that she had been in hospice care.
People Magazine first reported the news of the deaths and Carey’s statement.
Carey’s mother was a Juilliard-trained opera singer who Carey credits as an inspiration to her from a young age.