Prince's Sister Tyka Nelson Dies at 64, Cousin Confirms

Mar. 15, 2025

Tyka Nelson in Los Angeles in February 2017.Photo:David Livingston/Getty

David Livingston/Getty

Tyka Nelson,Prince’s sister, has died. She was 64.Nelson’s cousin, Charles “Chazz” Smith, announced the loss in asocial media poston Nov. 4. “Our family is very saddened to share the news of my cousin Tyka Evene Nelson who passed away this morning,” he wrote.Her son, President LenNard Laeil Nelson, reportedly later confirmed her death toThe Minnesota Star Tribune.Tyka’s cause of death is currently unknown.Tyka Nelson in October 2017.Nils Jorgensen/ShutterstockNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Born to John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw Nelson as Prince’s only full sibling, Tyka was based in Minnesota and followed a similarly musical path to her brother.Throughout her career, she released four albums: 1988’sRoyal Blue, 1992’sYellow Moon, Red Sky, 2008’sA Brand New Meand 2011’sHustler.Prince in March 2005; Tyka Nelson in February 2017.Getty(2)After announcing her retirement from public life, Tyka was set to hold a farewell concert at Minnesota venue the Dakota in June, but theTribunereported she fell ill and was ultimately not present at the show.“I’m getting older,” shetold the outletat the time. “I really wasn’t a singer. I’m a writer. I just happen to be able to sing. I enjoy singing.“Before her death, Tyka was working on a memoir “about me and my family,” according to theTribune, but it was not finished as of June. “We’ve got a few more chapters,” she said.Tyka Nelson.Cindy Barrymore/Variety/Penske Media via GettyThe musician was married to husband Maurice Phillips, with whom she shared six children: daughters Danielle Phillips, Crystal Phillips, Chelsea Phillips, and sons Rachard Phillips, Sir Montece Laeil and President.In her June interview with theTribune, Tyka opened up about experiencing loss, especially Prince’s death. “I’m one heck of a grateful person who had wonderful people in their life. I miss their wisdom,” she said.Tyka continued, “If I could I’d travel the whole world and meet people that loved him — I’m kind of the last link to him, for some people — it’s like giving back to him. As far as I’m concerned, he stayed because they loved his music.”

Tyka Nelson,Prince’s sister, has died. She was 64.

Nelson’s cousin, Charles “Chazz” Smith, announced the loss in asocial media poston Nov. 4. “Our family is very saddened to share the news of my cousin Tyka Evene Nelson who passed away this morning,” he wrote.

Her son, President LenNard Laeil Nelson, reportedly later confirmed her death toThe Minnesota Star Tribune.

Tyka’s cause of death is currently unknown.

Tyka Nelson in October 2017.Nils Jorgensen/Shutterstock

Nils Jorgensen/Shutterstock

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Born to John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw Nelson as Prince’s only full sibling, Tyka was based in Minnesota and followed a similarly musical path to her brother.

Throughout her career, she released four albums: 1988’sRoyal Blue, 1992’sYellow Moon, Red Sky, 2008’sA Brand New Meand 2011’sHustler.

Prince in March 2005; Tyka Nelson in February 2017.Getty(2)

Getty(2)

After announcing her retirement from public life, Tyka was set to hold a farewell concert at Minnesota venue the Dakota in June, but theTribunereported she fell ill and was ultimately not present at the show.

“I’m getting older,” shetold the outletat the time. “I really wasn’t a singer. I’m a writer. I just happen to be able to sing. I enjoy singing.”

Before her death, Tyka was working on a memoir “about me and my family,” according to theTribune, but it was not finished as of June. “We’ve got a few more chapters,” she said.

Tyka Nelson.Cindy Barrymore/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Cindy Barrymore/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

The musician was married to husband Maurice Phillips, with whom she shared six children: daughters Danielle Phillips, Crystal Phillips, Chelsea Phillips, and sons Rachard Phillips, Sir Montece Laeil and President.

In her June interview with theTribune, Tyka opened up about experiencing loss, especially Prince’s death. “I’m one heck of a grateful person who had wonderful people in their life. I miss their wisdom,” she said.

Tyka continued, “If I could I’d travel the whole world and meet people that loved him — I’m kind of the last link to him, for some people — it’s like giving back to him. As far as I’m concerned, he stayed because they loved his music.”

source: people.com