Mariah Carey is grieving the loss of two close family members, as both her mother and estranged sister passed away on the same day over the weekend, according to TMZ.
Patricia Carey, Mariah’s mother and a former opera singer, and Alison Carey, Mariah’s estranged sister, both died recently.
Mariah, who had been distant from Alison at the time of her death, shared her sorrow in a statement, saying, “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend. Tragically, my sister also passed away on the same day. I feel grateful that I was able to be with my mom during her final week. I deeply appreciate everyone’s support and request privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
The specific causes of death for Patricia and Alison were not revealed. In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, Mariah described her relationship with her mother as “complicated,” filled with a mix of emotions including pride, pain, and admiration. Despite their complex relationship, Mariah expressed enduring love and acknowledgment of her mother’s efforts.
Mariah’s relationship with her sister Alison was notably strained.
In 2021, Alison filed a lawsuit against Mariah, alleging emotional distress caused by claims made in Mariah’s memoir.
Mariah, born to Patricia and Alfred Roy Carey, an aeronautical engineer of African-American and Afro-Venezuelan descent, faced familial challenges from an early age.
Her parents divorced when she was just three years old, and Mariah’s mother was disowned by her own family for marrying Alfred.