Bobby Brown Pays Tribute to Late Former Mother-in-Law Cissy Houston: 'May She Rest in Peace and Power' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Bobby Brown and Cissy Houston in 1998

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On Monday, Oct. 7, the New Edition musician, 55, and his wife Alicia Etheredge-Brown shared an exclusive statement with PEOPLE following news that his former mother-in-law died at 91.

Singer Bobby Brown, singer Whitney Houston and mother Cissy Houston attend the Franklin School Renaming Annoucement to the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative & Performing Arts on June 12, 1997 at the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative & Performing Arts in East Orange, New Jersey.

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Brown and Cissy’s late daughterWhitney Houstonfamously had a tumultuous relationship.

The former couple initially met in 1989 before they married in July 1992. Over the course of their 14-year marriage, they welcomed a daughter,Bobbi Kristina, while they focused on their respective careers. However, Brown and Whitney also dealt with addiction, alcoholism and marital strife.

The former pair endured addiction before their marriage, but over the years their challenges escalated: Brown wasarrested for chargesrelated to drunk driving and possession, while Houstonsought treatment in rehabseveral times. (Houston died afteraccidentally drowningin a hotel bathtub at just 48 years old in 2012. Atoxicology reportfound both prescription medications and cocaine in her system.)

Brown and Whitneyended up divorcingin April 2007.

Cissy remained protective of Whitney over the years, telling PEOPLE exclusively in 2016 that Brown’sbombshell20/20interviewabout his life with Whitney “was disturbing.”

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Cissy Houston.Steve Eichner/WireImage

Cissy Houston grammy

Steve Eichner/WireImage

On Monday, Oct. 7, legendary gospel musician Cissydied while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease at her home in New Jersey, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston confirmed.

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” she said in a statement. “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts."

Pat added, “Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled . We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members.”

source: people.com