Renowned pop artist Mariah Carey has recently suffered a significant loss. Both her mother, Patricia Carey, and her sister, Alison Carey, passed away on the same day, as confirmed in a statement to “People.” The singer expressed her deep anguish over the unfortunate events.
Carey, aged 55, stated, “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend. Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day. I feel blessed that I was able to spend the last week with my mom before she passed. I appreciate everyone’s love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time.”
The precise causes of Patricia and Alison Carey’s deaths remain undisclosed, leading to public speculation. Patricia Carey, 87, was a Juilliard-trained opera singer and vocal coach, whose influence on Mariah Carey’s music career is well-known. Alison Carey, 63, led a troubled life, which included dealing with substance abuse and a complicated relationship with her famous sister.
In her 2020 memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” the pop star was open about her complex relationship with her mother, describing it as “a prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment.” Despite the challenges, Carey dedicated a section of her memoir to her mother, acknowledging that “through it all, I do believe she actually did the best she could.”
The relationship between Mariah and Alison was more fraught. In 2020, Alison filed a $1.25 million lawsuit against Mariah, citing defamation in the memoir, which pointed to traumatic childhood experiences. This only added to their strained relationship. Alison’s later years were marked by health issues and personal difficulties.
Patricia Carey’s life encompassed various experiences. She was married to Alfred Roy Carey, with whom she had three children: Alison, Mariah, and Morgan. The couple divorced when Mariah was just three years old. Her career as an opera singer was put on hold as she focused on raising her children. Yet, her influence on Mariah’s musical journey is evident. They even performed a festive mother-daughter duet of “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus” during ABC’s “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You” special in 2010.
Alison Carey’s life was filled with challenges, including a brain injury sustained in a home invasion in 2015, which resulted in short-term memory loss, homelessness, and continued struggles with substance abuse. Prior to her death, Alison was in hospice care in New York, where her children visited her for the last time. “Despite everything, she was still my sister, and I wish things could have been different,” Mariah Carey stated in a past interview regarding their relationship.
The public nature of Mariah Carey’s life amplifies her grief as her actions are constantly under media and fan scrutiny. In this time of mourning, she requests respect and privacy as she grieves the loss of two significant individuals in her life.
