Renowned pop artist, Mariah Carey, is grieving the loss of two family members: Patricia Carey, her mother, and Alison Carey, her sister. The loss of both loved ones occurred on the same day on the weekend of August 24, 2024. Carey confirmed this in an exclusive statement to “People,” expressing her deep sadness at the tragedy.
“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,” said Carey, 55. “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 exact causes of death for Patricia, 87, and Alison Carey, 63, have not been disclosed. Patricia was a Juilliard-educated opera singer and vocal coach, and her impact on Mariah’s music career is well-known. Alison’s life was marked by struggles with substance abuse and a strained relationship with her sister, Mariah.
In her 2020 memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” Mariah Carey discussed the complex bond with her mother, describing it as “a prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment.” Despite these complexities, Carey dedicated part of her memoir to her mother, acknowledging that “through it all, I do believe she actually did the best she could.”
Mariah and her sister Alison had a difficult relationship. Alison had filed a $1.25 million lawsuit against Mariah in 2020, accusing her of defamation in her memoir. The lawsuit, which revolved around allegations that Alison had exposed Mariah to traumatic experiences during their childhood, further strained their relationship.
Patricia Carey’s life was filled with contrasts. She married Alfred Roy Carey and they had three children: Alison, Mariah, and Morgan. They divorced when Mariah was only three years old. Patricia’s career as an opera singer was put on hold as she focused on raising her children. Her influence on Mariah’s music career is clear, evidenced by their memorable mother-daughter duet of “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus” during the 2010 ABC special “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You.”
Alison Carey’s life was fraught with challenges, including a brain injury from a 2015 home invasion that resulted in short-term memory loss, homelessness, and continued struggles with substance use disorder. Before 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 said in a past interview about their relationship.
The public nature of Mariah Carey’s life means her mourning process is under public scrutiny. However, she is requesting respect and privacy as she grieves the loss of her mother and sister.
