In a heartbreaking turn of events, Mariah Carey has revealed that both her mother, Patricia, and sister, Alison, passed away on the same day over the weekend.
“My heart is shattered by the loss of my mother this past weekend,” the Grammy-winning singer, 55, shared in a statement to the media. “Tragically, my sister also lost her life on the very same day.”
Mariah expressed her gratitude for the time she spent with her mother in the days leading up to her passing. “I feel fortunate to have been with my mom in her final week,” she added. “Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of love and support during this unimaginable time, and I kindly ask for privacy as I navigate this loss.”
The specific causes of Patricia and Alison’s deaths have not been disclosed.
Patricia, a Juilliard-trained opera singer and vocal coach, was previously married to Alfred Roy Carey. Together, they had three children: Alison, Mariah, and Morgan. The couple divorced when Mariah was just 3 years old. Despite inheriting her vocal talent from Patricia, Mariah’s relationship with her mother was complicated.
In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the singer described their relationship as “a prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment.” Despite these complexities, Mariah maintained a connection with her mother and even dedicated part of her memoir to her, acknowledging Patricia’s efforts: “I believe she did the best she could. I will love you the best I can, always.”
Mariah’s relationship with Alison was similarly complex, with Mariah admitting in her memoir that, at times, it felt “emotionally and physically safer” to distance herself from both Alison and their brother, Morgan.
—
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com