Cissy Houston Net Worth: A Legendary Career in Music

Information
Net Worth	$6 Million
Date of Birth	Sep 30, 1933
Place of Birth	New Jersey
Profession	Singer, Actress
Height	5 ft 5 in(170 cm)
Gender	Female
Children	3
Nationality	United States of America

Cissy Houston, a name synonymous with soul and gospel music, has left an indelible mark on the industry. Her illustrious career as a singer, actor, and television producer has earned her not only fame but also a considerable fortune. In this article, we’ll delve into the life and career of Cissy Houston, exploring her net worth, family, achievements, and more.

Short Bio – Famous For

Cissy Houston is famous for her remarkable contributions to the world of music. Born on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, Cissy Houston is now 89 years old and remains an iconic figure in the music industry.

Career & Achievement

Cissy Houston’s journey in the music industry began as a backup singer for legendary artists such as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. However, her talent and dedication soon propelled her to greater heights as a solo artist. She is also celebrated for her cross-genre singing style, collaborating with renowned artists like Bette Midler, Linda Ronstadt, Burt Bacharach, and Herbie Mann.

One of her significant contributions was leading the New Hope Baptist Church Youth Inspirational Choir for over five decades. Additionally, Cissy Houston was a fixture at the annual gospel music festival, McDonald’s Gospelfest.

She co-founded the gospel singing group, the Sweet Inspirations, which provided backup vocals for an array of artists, including Lou Rawls, Otis Redding, and her niece, Dionne Warwick. Cissy Houston’s vocal prowess was also featured in the iconic Aretha Franklin hit, “Ain’t No Way.”

Despite her numerous successes as a backup singer, Cissy Houston decided to shift her focus towards a solo career in the early 1970s. She released several albums and singles, including the original recording of “Midnight Train to Georgia,” later made famous by Gladys Knight & The Pips.

Cissy Houston’s career continued to flourish as she signed with Private Stock Records in 1977. She represented the United States at the World Popular Song Festival in 1979, securing second place with the track, “You’re the Fire.”

Her contributions extended beyond solo endeavors; she also worked as a session musician, lending her powerful voice to albums by Bette Midler, Linda Ronstadt, and more. In recognition of her gospel music recordings, she received two Grammy Awards.

Cissy Houston’s collaborations with her daughter, Whitney Houston, were especially memorable, with the two sharing the stage for various performances.

Her Famous Works
Cissy Houston, throughout her career as a singer and musician, has been involved in numerous famous works. Here is a list of some of her notable contributions and collaborations:

1. The Drinkard Singers: Cissy Houston began her singing career as a member of this gospel group, which later became known as the Drinkard Singers. They recorded a live album under the RCA label titled “A Joyful Noise.”
2. The Sweet Inspirations: Cissy co-founded this gospel and soul group in 1963, and it became one of her most significant musical endeavors. The Sweet Inspirations provided backup vocals for various legendary artists, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, and Otis Redding.
3. “Ain’t No Way” (Backing Vocals for Aretha Franklin): Cissy Houston’s powerful voice was featured as a backing vocalist on Aretha Franklin’s hit song “Ain’t No Way.”
4. “Brown Eyed Girl” (Backing Vocals for Van Morrison): The Sweet Inspirations also appeared on Van Morrison’s popular single “Brown Eyed Girl,” adding their soulful harmonies to the track.
5. “Midnight Train to Georgia” (Original Recording): Cissy Houston released the original recording of “Midnight Train to Georgia,” a song that later became a massive hit when recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips.
6. Bette Midler’s Debut Album: Cissy provided backing vocals on Bette Midler’s debut album, “The Divine Miss M,” contributing to the success of the album.
7. Linda Ronstadt’s “Heart Like a Wheel”: She also lent her vocal talents to Linda Ronstadt’s album “Heart Like a Wheel,” enriching the overall sound of the record.
8. Gospel Albums: Cissy Houston’s recordings of Gospel music earned her critical acclaim and two Grammy Awards. Her albums “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me” received recognition in the Gospel music genre.
9. Collaborations with Whitney Houston: Cissy collaborated with her daughter, Whitney Houston, on several occasions, including performances of the track “I Know Him So Well” from the Broadway show “Chess” and contributing to the soundtrack of the movie “Daddy’s Little Girls” in 2006.
10. Performance with Aretha Franklin: In 2014, at the age of 80, Cissy Houston performed alongside the legendary Aretha Franklin on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Family

Cissy Houston’s personal life has been marked by both joy and sorrow. She was first married to Freddie Garland in 1955, with whom she had a son, Gary Garland. However, their marriage ended in divorce before the birth of their child.

In 1958, Cissy met John Houston while he was still married. They began a relationship, which eventually led to their marriage in 1964 after John’s divorce. Together, they had two children, Michael and Whitney Houston. John served as Cissy’s manager during her time with The Sweet Inspirations. Despite their separation, they remained legally married until 1991.

Tragedy struck the Houston family with Whitney Houston’s well-documented struggles with drug addiction, which thrust Cissy into the public eye as she attempted to support her daughter through interventions and rehabilitation programs. Whitney Houston tragically passed away in 2012.

Sources of Income

Cissy Houston’s primary sources of income include her music career, spanning from her early days as a backup singer to her successful solo endeavors. She also generated income through her work as a session musician, contributing her vocals to various artists’ albums. Additionally, her involvement in the gospel music scene and numerous live performances added to her earnings.

Net Worth Figure and Rankings

As of now, Cissy Houston boasts a net worth of $6 million. While this figure may not rival some of the industry’s wealthiest celebrities, it represents a lifetime of hard work and dedication to her craft.

Lifestyle and Expenses

Cissy Houston’s net worth of $6 million provides her with a comfortable lifestyle. However, it is important to note that her expenses likely include ongoing commitments related to her career, such as maintaining her music and production endeavors. Moreover, Cissy’s dedication to her family, particularly during Whitney Houston’s struggles, may have entailed substantial financial support.

Controversies/Financial Challenges

While Cissy Houston’s career has been marked by successes, her life has not been without challenges. The most notable controversy and financial challenge she faced was her daughter Whitney’s battle with drug addiction and ultimate passing in 2012. This heartbreaking period in her life not only took an emotional toll but may also have incurred significant expenses related to Whitney’s treatment and care.

In June 2023, rumors of Cissy Houston’s death began circulating on social media, causing a wave of concern among fans and well-wishers. These unfounded rumors gained traction quickly, leading to speculation about the legendary singer’s well-being.

It’s essential to emphasize that these rumors of Cissy Houston’s death were entirely untrue. The singer, who was 89 years old at the time, was alive and well. Her family and representatives swiftly addressed the false reports, assuring everyone that she was in good health.

Conclusion

Cissy Houston’s net worth of $6 million reflects a lifetime dedicated to the music industry. Her illustrious career, from backup singer to solo artist, has left an indelible mark on the world of music. Despite personal challenges and controversies, Cissy Houston’s legacy as a talented and influential figure in the industry will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

FAQs

How rich is Cissy Houston?

Cissy Houston, the American soul and gospel singer, has an estimated net worth of $6 million. Throughout her career, Cissy Houston achieved success both as a backup singer for prominent artists and as a solo artist, contributing to her accumulated wealth. While her net worth may not be among the highest in the entertainment industry, it reflects her long and influential career in music.

How much was Whitney worth when she died?

Whitney Houston’s net worth at the time of her death was estimated to be around $20 million, according to various sources. Despite her immense talent and successful career, financial challenges, including expenses related to her well-documented struggles with drug addiction and legal issues, may have impacted her net worth over the years.

Did Whitney Houston pay her dad?

There was a legal dispute between Whitney Houston and her father, John Houston, which involved a claim that Whitney didn’t pay her father’s company appropriately for the services they purportedly provided. The lawsuit reportedly sought $100 million in damages. However, it’s essential to note that the details of this legal dispute and the outcome may not be widely documented in public sources. Nevertheless, it is known that Whitney Houston had a complex relationship with her family, including her father, at various points in her life.

Who inherited Whitney Houston fortune?

Whitney Houston left her entire fortune to her only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown. After her passing, it was revealed that Houston’s estate, which had earned approximately $40 million, was used to pay off her debts, estimated at $20 million. The remaining funds were designated to be inherited by Bobbi Kristina Brown. However, her inheritance was placed in a trust, with the intention that it would be released to her in increments as she reached certain ages, including when she turned 30. Unfortunately, Bobbi Kristina Brown tragically passed away in 2015, which led to further complications regarding the distribution of the estate.

Featured Image Credits: Paras Griffin/Getty Images