Mariah Carey appears with her mother Patricia and daughter Monroe during a ceremony honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Ángeles, Aug 5, 2015. (Photo by: Chris Pizzelo)
Mariah Carey announced Monday that she has suffered a heartbreaking double loss, revealing that both her mother, Patricia, and her sister, Alison, passed away on the same day.
In a statement, the Grammy-winning artist shared her sorrow, saying, "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 expressed gratitude for the time she spent with her mother in her final days, adding, "I feel blessed that I was able to spend the last week with my mom before she passed. I appreciate everyone’s love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time."
According to the Times Union, Alison, who had been estranged from Carey for many years, passed away at the age of 63 due to complications related to organ failure. She had been receiving care in hospice. People Magazine was the first to report the news of their deaths and Carey’s statement.
Patricia Carey, a classically trained opera singer from Juilliard, had a profound influence on Mariah from a young age. Mariah credited her mother as an early source of inspiration, writing in her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, "I would sing little tunes around the house, to my mother’s delight. And she always encouraged me."
Patricia was previously married to Alfred Roy Carey, Mariah's father. The couple divorced when Mariah was just three years old, and she primarily lived with her mother in Suffolk County on Long Island after the separation. Mariah's father passed away from cancer in 2002 at the age of 72.
In her memoir, Mariah described her complicated relationships with both her mother and sister. She wrote candidly about the struggles and conflicts she faced, describing her relationship with Patricia as a "prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment." Mariah also recounted difficult experiences with Alison, accusing her sister of exposing her to unsafe situations during their childhood.
Despite the challenges, Mariah remained connected to her mother over the years. The two even collaborated on a duet of "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" for Mariah's second Christmas album, released in 2010.
Mariah Carey now faces the immense loss of two close family members, navigating this difficult time with the support and love of those around her.
