Mariah Carey is mourning the devastating loss of both her mother, Patricia, and her sister, Alison, who tragically passed away on the same day. In an exclusive statement to Variety, the Grammy-winning singer expressed her profound grief. “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,” Carey shared.
While the singer did not disclose the circumstances surrounding their deaths, she expressed her deep gratitude for being able to be by her mother’s side during her final moments. “I appreciate everyone’s love and support and respect for my privacy during this impossible time,” her statement continued.
Patricia, a Juilliard-trained opera singer and vocal coach, 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, a period that marked the beginning of a complex and often challenging relationship between mother and daughter.
In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the singer candidly explored her relationship with her mother, from whom she inherited her remarkable vocal talent. “Like many aspects of my life, my journey with my mother has been full of contradictions and competing realities. It’s never been only black-and-white — it’s been a whole rainbow of emotions,” she wrote. Carey described their bond as one filled with both love and tension, but despite the ups and downs, their connection endured until Patricia’s passing.
One of the memorable moments in their relationship occurred in 2010 when Patricia and Mariah performed a duet of “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus” for ABC’s Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You special. This collaboration highlighted their shared passion for music, a bond that, despite its complexities, tied them together throughout their lives.
In her memoir, Mariah dedicated a heartfelt message to her mother, acknowledging the difficulties but also the enduring love they shared. “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,” she wrote.
As Mariah Carey navigates this profound loss, her words reflect the deep and complicated love she holds for her mother and the pain of losing both her and her sister in such a tragic way.