Tragedy has struck the legendary Mariah Carey, leaving the songstress grappling with an unimaginable loss. The Grammy Award Winner is mourning the loss of two loved ones on the same day.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, celebrated singer, Mariah Carey lost not one, but two cherished family members on the same day—her mother, Patricia Carey, and her sister, Alison Carey.
Patricia Hickey, Mariah Carey and Monroe Cannon in August 2015 in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images
Mariah confirmed the devastating news in a statement. “My heart is broken that Ive lost my mother this past weekend,” she shared, letting fans in on the immense sadness weighing on her.
Mariah Carey performs onstage during Global Citizen Festival 2022: New York at Central Park on September 24, 2022, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
But as if losing her mother wasn’t enough to bear, Mariah revealed another gut-wrenching blow. “Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day.” While the singer has been a beacon of light and strength for millions through her music, this personal sorrow is one of her darkest moments.
Mariah Carey performs onstage during the 2023 LA Pride in the Park Festival at Los Angeles Historical Park on June 10, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Yet, even in the midst of this profound grief, Mariah found solace in the final days spent with her mother, honoring the bond they shared. “I feel blessed that I was able to spend the last week with my mom before she passed,” she said. “I appreciate everyones love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time,” she added.
Mariah Carey attends the 2022 Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2022, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The causes of death for both Patricia and Alison remain unknown leaving a cloud of mystery around this devastating family tragedy.
Mariah Carey seen shopping on December 23, 2022, in Aspen, Colorado. | Source: Getty Images
Patricia was a celebrated Juilliard-trained opera singer and vocal coach. She passed on her extraordinary musical gifts to her daughter. Mariahs unmistakable five-octave range and powerful voice can be traced directly back to her mothers operatic roots.
Mariah Carey is seen walking in soho on October 10, 2022, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
However, their relationship was far from perfect. Mariahs bond with Patricia was as complicated as it was meaningful. In her 2020 memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” the singer candidly peeled back the layers of their connection.
Mariah Carey is seen at Ortigia on July 09, 2022, in Siracusa, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
She described it as a journey full of contradictions and competing realities—a mixture of emotions that could never be reduced to simple black and white. “Its been a whole rainbow of emotions,” she wrote, hinting at the depth and complexity that defined their dynamic.
Mariah Carey speaks onstage during the Songwriters Hall of Fame 51st Annual Induction and Awards Gala in New York on June 16, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
Mariah poetically captured the essence of their relationship as a “prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment.” Despite the struggles, the love between them ran deep.
Mariah Carey at her “Butterfly” album release party in 1997 | Source: Getty Images
In 2010, the mother-daughter duo joined forces for a heartwarming performance during “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You” on ABC, delivering a stirring rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus.” It was a rare and tender moment that showcased their shared musical heritage.
Mariahs love for her mother, despite the thorns, remained unwavering. Even amid their complicated bond, Mariah always found moments to celebrate the woman who gave her life—and her voice.
In 2019, the singer took to social media to wish her mother a happy birthday, sharing a touching throwback photo of herself as a child, lovingly cradled in Patricias arms. Alongside the post, the singer penned a heartwarming caption, “Happy birthday to a true diva—my mom, Patricia Carey! ❤️❤️❤️.”
She even dedicated part of her memoir to Patricia, writing, “And to Pat, my mother, who, through it all, I do believe actually did the best she could. I will love you the best I can, always.”
In these words, Mariah Carey revealed a deep reservoir of love and acceptance, acknowledging the complexities of their relationship while vowing to love her mother the best way she knew how.
Mariah Carey performs during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Mariah Careys relationship with her sister, Alison, was equally complicated and filled with pain. In her memoir, the pop icon revealed that, at least for a time, it was emotionally and physically safer for her to avoid contact with both Alison and their brother, Morgan.
Mariah Carey at 1 OAK Nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 26, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
The distance between them was more than just physical—it was an emotional chasm rooted in years of turmoil. Their rift deepened in 2020 when Alison filed a $1.25 million lawsuit against Mariah, alleging defamation.
Mariah Carey at a press conference in New York City on November 9, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
In her memoir, Mariah claimed that Alison had drugged her at the age of 12 and even gave her third-degree burns. The outcome of the lawsuit remains unclear and Mariahs spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
Mariah Carey May 01, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Alison, who passed away at the age of 68, had a troubled life marked by hardship. Though she was a native of Huntington, Long Island, Alison had lived in Greene County in recent years. Her struggles were widely known, from homelessness to battling substance use disorder.
Mariah Carey speaks at a press conference to announce an agreement with Israeli cosmetics brand Premier Dead Sea, in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on June 26, 2017. | Source: Getty Images
In 2015, tragedy struck when she became the victim of a violent home invasion on Long Island, suffering a brain injury and short-term memory loss after an intruder struck her in the head with a baseball bat. Alisons friend, David Baker, recalled how she spent just a month in a medical facility before transitioning to an apartment in Greene County.
Mariah Carey on May 29, 2014 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Determined to regain her independence, Alison fought for her Social Security benefits, eventually her monthly payments, and secured a back payment of $684 after proving that she was no longer in a facility.
Mariah Carey circa 1990. | Source: Getty Images
In her last moments, Alison was able to reconnect with her children. David recounted how some of Alisons children were seeing their mother for the first time in years, and the joy she felt during those final moments was palpable. Although her life had been filled with struggles, in those moments, Alison found a bit of peace surrounded by family.
