Cissy Houston Net Worth

What is Cissy Houston’s Net Worth? A Look at Her Career and Life

Cissy Houston, the renowned American soul and gospel singer, boasts a net worth of $6 million. Her career spans decades, marked by collaborations with music legends, solo achievements, and the significant role she played in the lives of her famous family members. This article dives into Cissy Houston’s life, career, and enduring impact on the music industry.

Early Life

Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. The youngest of eight children born to Nitcholas Drinkard and Delia Mae Drinkard, she grew up in a household that valued education and faith. Her parents, having migrated from Georgia during the Great Migration, instilled a strong emphasis on both learning and church involvement. This upbringing profoundly shaped Cissy’s life, laying the foundation for her musical journey.

Tragedy struck early in her life. Her mother suffered a stroke and passed away when Cissy was only eight years old, and her father died of stomach cancer when she was 18. Despite these hardships, she persevered, finding solace and strength in her faith and music. After her father’s death, she went to live with one of her older siblings.

Career Beginnings: The Drinkard Singers and The Sweet Inspirations

Cissy Houston’s musical journey began with her siblings in the gospel group, the Drinkard Four, later known as the Drinkard Singers. The group gained recognition, performing regularly at churches and even recording a live album under the RCA label entitled “A Joyful Noise.” This early exposure honed her vocal skills and ignited her passion for singing.

In 1963, Houston co-founded the Sweet Inspirations, a vocal group that would become highly sought-after in the music industry. Alongside Doris Troy and Dee Dee Warwick, and later with Sylvia Shemwell, Estelle Brown, and Myrna Smith, the Sweet Inspirations provided backup vocals for a multitude of artists. Their versatility and talent led them to work with a diverse range of musicians, including:

• Elvis Presley
• Aretha Franklin
• Lou Rawls
• Otis Redding
• Dionne Warwick

The Sweet Inspirations were also featured on Van Morrison’s hit single “Brown Eyed Girl” and the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp.” Notably, Cissy’s operatic soprano voice can be heard on Aretha Franklin’s hit, “Ain’t No Way.” Their collaborations solidified their reputation as one of the most respected backing vocal groups in the industry.

By 1969, the Sweet Inspirations were performing with Elvis Presley in Las Vegas. However, Houston decided to focus on her solo career and spend more time with her children, marking the end of her touring with the group. This transition signaled a new chapter in her already illustrious career.

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Building a Solo Career

While Houston was making a name for herself with the Sweet Inspirations, she began working on solo projects. She signed a recording contract with Commonwealth United Records and in 1970 released her debut album, “Presenting Cissy Houston,” which featured two tracks that charted on the R&B charts. Her contract was later sold to James Records, and she recorded more albums and singles during the early 1970s. A notable highlight from this period was her rendition of Jim Weatherly’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” which later became a number-one hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips. She remained with James Records until 1975, further establishing her as a solo artist.

In 1977, Houston signed with Private Stock Records and released three albums, all produced by Michael Zager. She showcased her vocal versatility, participating in the World Popular Song Festival in 1979 and earning second place with the song “You’re the Fire.”

Throughout her career, Houston also worked as a session musician, contributing background vocals to albums by artists such as Bette Midler, Linda Ronstadt, Burt Bacharach, and Herbie Mann. Her ability to adapt to different genres and her distinctive voice made her a sought-after talent in the industry.

Gospel Music and Accolades

Cissy Houston’s passion for gospel music became a defining aspect of her career. She has been the leader and driving force behind the New Hope Baptist Church Youth Inspirational Choir, which has over 200 members, for more than 50 years, and she is a fixture at the annual McDonald’s Gospelfest. Her dedication to gospel music led to critical acclaim and numerous awards, including:

• 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for “Face to Face”
• 1998 Grammy Award for her album, “He Leadeth Me”

Her gospel recordings and performances have touched the hearts of many, solidifying her legacy as a gospel music icon. She has consistently used her voice to uplift and inspire audiences through her powerful renditions of gospel classics and original compositions.

Personal Life and Family

Cissy Houston’s personal life has been intertwined with her career, particularly through her family. In 1955, she married Freddie Garland and had a son, Gary Garland, who later became an NBA basketball player. The couple divorced before Gary was born. In 1958, she met John Houston, and they had two children: Michael, who became a songwriter and manager, and Whitney, who became a world-renowned singer and actress. Cissy and John married in 1964, and John served as her manager while she was with The Sweet Inspirations. However, the marriage ended in separation in 1991, although they remained married until his death.

Cissy’s life was deeply impacted by her daughter Whitney’s struggles with drug addiction. She played an active role in staging interventions and supporting Whitney’s treatment efforts. The media coverage of Whitney’s struggles and tragic death in February 2012 in Los Angeles deeply affected Cissy, who released a book in 2013 titled “Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped,” offering a personal account of her daughter’s life and the events surrounding her death.

Legacy and Impact

Cissy Houston’s influence on the music industry is undeniable. She is not only a successful solo artist, session musician, and gospel singer but also a matriarch of a musical dynasty. Her work with the Sweet Inspirations, her solo albums, and her contributions to gospel music have left a lasting impact. She has collaborated with many artists and has received multiple Grammy Awards.

Her impact extends beyond her music; she has supported and guided her children and is known for her strong family values and her commitment to her faith and her community. Cissy Houston’s career and personal life serve as an inspiration, showcasing the power of music, perseverance, and family.