Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy Houston dies aged 91

Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy Houston has died aged 91, her family has confirmed.

Houston died today in her New Jersey home where she was under hospice care surrounded by family.

Her daughter-in-law Pat Houston told The Associated Press her cause of death was Alzheimer’s disease.

Houston’s death comes 12 years after her daughter died from accidental drowning caused partly by the effects of heart disease and cocaine abuse.

Pat remembered Houston as ‘a strong and towering figure’ and ‘a woman of deep faith and conviction.’

‘Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family’ she said.

‘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.’

More to follow.