Mariah Carey has announced the tragic loss of her mother, Patricia, and her sister, Alison, who both passed away on the same day over the weekend. In a statement released on Monday, Carey expressed her heartbreak, 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.” The Grammy-winning singer also shared that she felt blessed to have spent time with her mother the week before her death and requested privacy during this difficult time.
No additional details were provided regarding the causes of their deaths.
About Patricia Carey
Patricia Carey, 87, was a former opera singer and vocal coach of Irish-American descent. In Mariah Carey’s 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, she described her complex relationship with her mother, noting that it brought her “so much pain and confusion.” Carey mentioned that professional jealousy was an issue between them, especially difficult when experienced from a parent. Despite their challenges, Carey expressed deep love for her mother, writing in her memoir’s dedication: “To Pat, my mother, who, through it all, I do believe actually did the best she could. I will love you the best I can, always.”
In a 2022 interview with Gayle King, Carey discussed how she had been affected by her mother’s criticism during her childhood but credited Patricia for introducing her to music.
About Alison Carey
Carey’s relationship with her older sister Alison, 63, was also fraught with difficulty. In her memoir, Mariah described being estranged from both Alison and her brother Morgan, stating that it was “emotionally and physically safer for me to not have any contact” with them. Following the memoir’s release, Alison sued Carey for $1.2 million, alleging “immense emotional distress” and describing the book as “vindictive.”
Family Background and career achievements
Mariah Carey’s father, Alfred Carey, passed away in 2002 due to cancer at the age of 72. Despite her personal challenges, Mariah Carey is recognized as one of the most successful singers in the world. Her holiday single, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” is the best-selling Christmas song by a female artist. She holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles by a solo artist, with 19 hits, and has sold over 220 million records worldwide. Carey has also served as a judge on the talent show American Idol.