Pop icon Mariah Carey is mourning the loss of her mother and sister, who both died on the same day, leaving the star heartbroken. The 'Emotions' singer revealed the devastating news that her 87-year-old mother Patricia and 63-year-old sister Alison had passed away within hours of each other over the weekend. In a heartfelt statement to PEOPLE, the bereaved songstress shared: "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." Carey expressed her gratitude for 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," and thanked her fans for their support, asking for privacy: "I appreciate everyone's love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time." The 55-year-old superstar did not disclose the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Patricia Carey, a former opera singer and vocal coach, married Alfred Roy Carey in 1960 and gave birth to Mariah nine years later. The couple separated when Mariah was just a young child. Alfred Roy Carey died in 2002 at age 72.
Raised primarily by her mother, Mariah, along with her siblings Alison and Morgan, was introduced to music from an early age, which paved the way for her illustrious and award-winning music career. Throughout her life, Mariah's relationship with her mother was filled with challenges. In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Car.