In an August 27 statement to People, Mariah Carey confirmed that her mother, Patricia Carey, and her sister, Alison Carey, passed away on the same day. “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend,” she shared, adding, “Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day.”
Mariah’s statement continued, “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.”
The singer has previously opened up about the challenging relationships she had with Patricia, a Juilliard-trained opera singer and vocal coach, and her younger sister, Alison. But what happened to them? Here’s what’s known so far about the deaths of Mariah Carey’s mother, Patricia Carey, and sister Alison Carey.
What Happened To Mariah Carey’s Mom And Sister?
How Did Mariah Carey’s Mom And Sister Die?
As of now, Mariah has not shared any details about the causes of death. However, her mother was 87, according to public records. Times Union reported that Mariah’s sister, Alison, died in hospice care south of Albany, New York. She was 63. David Baker, a friend of Alison’s who helped her with housing and benefits issues, told the newspaper that she had been struggling with organ function before her death. She also reportedly dealt with substance abuse issues.
Was Mariah Carey Close With Her Mom And Sister?
Mariah had complicated relationships with both Patricia and Alison. In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, she wrote that her relationship with her mother caused her “so much pain and confusion.” She explained that jealousy “comes with the territory of success, but when the person is your mother and the jealousy is revealed at such a tender age, it’s particularly painful.”
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The “Obsessed” singer” did notably express her love for Patricia in the dedication. “To Pat, my mother, who, through it all, I do believe actually did the best she could,” Mariah wrote. “I will love you the best I can, always.”
Mariah also addressed her relationship with Alison in the book. She wrote about being estranged from her sister and said she made that decision because it was “emotionally and physically safer for [her] to not have any contact.” After the release of The Meaning of Mariah Carey, Alison sued her sister for $1.2 million, calling the book “heartless, vicious, vindictive despicable and totally unnecessary public humiliation.” The case was still unresolved when Alison passed.