Mariah Carey, the legendary singer and five-time Grammy Award winner, has been struck by a devastating double loss.
Over the weekend, her mother Patricia and sister Alison both passed away on the same day. Carey shared the heartbreaking news in a statement on Monday, expressing her profound grief.
"My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend," Carey said. "Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day."
Details surrounding the causes of their deaths have not been disclosed, and Carey has asked for privacy as she mourns, as reported by BBC News.
Patricia Carey was a former opera singer and vocal coach of Irish-American descent. In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the singer opened up about her complicated relationship with her mother, describing the deep love she felt for her despite the challenges they faced. Carey noted that professional jealousy had strained their relationship, yet she acknowledged her mother's influence in her musical journey.
"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," Carey wrote in her memoir's dedication.
Her relationship with her older sister Alison was similarly complex. In the same memoir, Carey revealed that she had been estranged from Alison and her brother Morgan, citing the need to protect herself emotionally and physically. Alison later sued Carey for $1.2 million, claiming "immense emotional distress" caused by the book's content.
Mariah Carey has experienced personal loss before; her father, Alfred, passed away in 2002 from cancer at the age of 72.
As one of the world's most successful singers, Carey has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Her holiday hit "All I Want For Christmas Is You" remains the best-selling Christmas song by a female artist. With 19 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and over 220 million records sold worldwide, her impact on pop culture is undeniable.
In this moment of grief, Mariah Carey is asking for the public's understanding and privacy as she navigates the loss of both her mother and sister.
