Los Angeles, CA — American music icon Mariah Carey has announced the devastating loss of both her mother, Patricia Carey, and her sister, Alison Carey, who passed away on the same day. The news, shared by the singer on Monday, has shocked fans and the music community alike.
In a heartfelt statement, Carey expressed her profound grief and sorrow over the tragic events. “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,” she said.
The causes of death for Patricia, 87, and Alison, 63, have not been disclosed. However, Alison’s close friend and carer, Dave Baker, provided some insight into her final days. Baker revealed to The U.S. Sun that Alison had been receiving home hospice care due to health complications, including issues with her internal organs.
“Beneath a tough exterior, Alison was a highly intelligent, warm, and sensitive person,” Baker said. “I have known her for nine years and as her friend and, in recent months, her carer, I will miss her greatly. Farewell, Alison. May you now find peace, your tortured soul forever free from earthly pain.”
Carey also took a moment to reflect on the time she spent with her mother before her passing. “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,” she added.
The singer’s relationship with her mother, Patricia, was known to be complex. Patricia, a former opera singer trained at Juilliard and a vocal coach, had a strained relationship with her daughter, Mariah. The couple, who divorced when Mariah was three years old, was remembered for their tumultuous relationship. Mariah Carey’s 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, detailed the intricate dynamics of their relationship, describing it as a mix of pride, pain, and complicated love.
In the memoir, Carey wrote, “Like many aspects of my life, my journey with my mother has been full of contradictions and competing realities. It’s never been only black-and-white — it’s been a whole rainbow of emotions. Our relationship is a prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment. A complicated love tethers my heart to my mother’s.”
As Carey navigates this challenging time, she has requested privacy from the public and media. Fans and fellow celebrities have expressed their condolences and support for the singer during this period of mourning.