Before Mariah Carey became a famous musician, she struggled to find love and happiness within her broken family — a goal that didn’t change with musical success. Carey detailed her ups and downs with her family, especially her mother, Patricia Carey , in her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey . The Grammy winner revealed that growing up she felt “significant neglect” from her mother, who she claimed was jealous of her career.
“For my sanity and peace of mind, my therapist encouraged me to literally rename and reframe my family. My mother became Pat to me, Morgan my ex-brother and Alison my ex-sister,” Mariah wrote, referring to her siblings, Morgan and Alison Carey . “I had to stop expecting them to one day miraculously become the mommy, big brother and big sister I fantasized about.
” She confessed, “I had to stop making myself available to be hurt by them,” noting that she continued to have a “complicated” dynamic with Patricia until her death in August 2024 . Despite their ups and downs, Mariah said she felt “blessed” to spend “the last week with my mom before she passed,” telling People in a statement. “I appreciate everyone’s love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time.
” Scroll down to learn more about Mariah’s family: A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) Mariah’s father, Alfred, welcomed three children with wife Patricia before the pair divorced when Mariah was only 3 years old in 1973. M.