Mariah Carey has expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of love and support she has received, as well as for the respect of her privacy during this incredibly difficult time. Her mother Patricia and sister Alison both passed away on the same day over the weekend, as confirmed by PEOPLE.
Mariah shared with PEOPLE, “My heart is shattered by the loss of my mother this weekend. Tragically, my sister also passed away on the same day.” She added, “I feel fortunate to have spent the last week with my mom before her passing. I’m grateful for the love and support from everyone and for respecting my privacy during this impossible period.”
At this moment, the causes of Patricia and Alison’s deaths have not been disclosed. Patricia, who had been married to Alfred Roy Carey, was a Juilliard-trained opera singer and vocal coach before she had Alison, Mariah, and their brother Morgan. The couple divorced when Mariah was just three years old.
Mariah’s relationship with her mother was complex, as detailed in her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. She described their relationship as a mix of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment, noting that their bond was full of contradictions.
Despite their challenges, Mariah and her mother maintained a connection. They reunited in 2010 for a special performance of “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus” on ABC’s Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You. Mariah also dedicated part of her memoir to her mother, acknowledging her efforts and expressing enduring love.
Similarly, Mariah’s relationship with her sister Alison was also complex. In her memoir, she mentioned that, at one point, it was emotionally and physically safer for her to have no contact with Alison or Morgan.
