Net Worth Ranker
What Is Cissy Houston Net Worth
At the time of her death on October 7, 2024, Cissy Houston, the celebrated American soul and gospel singer, had a net worth estimated at $2 million. This sum reflects her decades-long career in the music industry, encompassing her early work as a sought-after backup vocalist and her later success as a solo artist and gospel performer. While precise details regarding the composition of her assets are not publicly available, it is understood that her net worth primarily stemmed from her music royalties, performance fees, and other related income streams.
Cissy Houston’s Career Highlights and Income Sources
Cissy Houston’s career began in earnest as a backup singer, providing vocals for iconic artists like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin. Though specific figures related to her earnings during this period are not readily accessible, the demand for her vocal talents likely ensured a steady income. Her transition to a solo artist further bolstered her financial standing. In 1970, she released her debut album, “Presenting Cissy Houston,” which featured tracks that charted on the R&B charts. While the exact sales figures and royalties from this album remain unspecified, it marked a significant step in establishing her solo career and generating independent income.
Houston’s early solo work included recording Jim Weatherly’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” before it became a major hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips. Although she did not achieve the same level of commercial success with her version, the royalties and performance fees associated with the song contributed to her overall earnings. Her subsequent signing with Private Stock Records in 1977 led to the release of three albums, all produced by Michael Zager. The financial details of her contract with Private Stock Records are not publicly available, but such deals typically involve advances, royalties based on album sales, and other performance-related compensation.
Beyond her solo work, Houston continued to be in demand as a session musician, lending her vocal talents to albums and singles by artists like Bette Midler, Linda Ronstadt, Burt Bacharach, and Herbie Mann. While the specific amounts she earned from these session recordings are unknown, session work typically provides a reliable source of income for experienced vocalists. In 1979, she represented the United States at the World Popular Song Festival, securing second place with “You’re the Fire.” Details of any prize money or performance fees associated with this event have not been publicly disclosed.
Cissy Houston’s foray into gospel music further enriched her career and, consequently, her net worth. Her gospel albums, “Face to Face” (1996) and “He Leadeth Me” (1998), both earned her Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. Grammy wins can lead to increased visibility, higher performance fees, and greater demand for an artist’s work, which can positively impact their financial standing. It’s important to note that sales data for gospel albums may not always be as widely publicized as sales data for pop or R&B albums.
Additional Ventures and Assets Contributing to Cissy Houston Net Worth
Beyond her direct earnings from music, Cissy Houston’s net worth would also have been influenced by other factors, such as investments, property ownership, and other business ventures. While specific details of these assets remain private, it is common for established artists to diversify their income streams through investments in real estate, stocks, or other business opportunities. Given her long and successful career, it is plausible that Cissy Houston had accumulated additional assets beyond her direct earnings from music.
The book she released in 2013, “Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped,” likely provided another source of income through royalties and book sales. While the specific financial figures are not available, autobiographies and memoirs by public figures can generate substantial revenue, particularly when they deal with sensitive or high-profile topics. The book’s success would have further contributed to Cissy Houston’s overall net worth.
It’s important to note that the estimated $2 million net worth represents an estimation based on available information and industry standards. The actual net worth may have been higher or lower depending on various factors, including private financial arrangements and undisclosed assets. Moreover, net worth is a snapshot in time and can fluctuate based on market conditions and personal financial decisions.
While specific details regarding Cissy Houston’s expenses, taxes, and charitable contributions are not publicly available, these factors would have also influenced her overall net worth over time. Expenses can include living costs, healthcare, and professional fees, while taxes can significantly impact an individual’s disposable income. Charitable contributions, while reducing taxable income, can also affect the overall net worth.
During her career Cissy Houston did serve as the leader and driving force behind the New Hope Baptist Church Youth Inspirational Choir, which contained over 200 members, for over 50 years, and she’s also been a fixture at the annual gospel music festival McDonald’s Gospelfest. Any payment for these performances are not fully known but would have influenced her net worth.
Cissy Houston was born on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. Her parents were Nitcholas Drinkard and Delia Mae Drinkard; she was their eighth and final child. Her parents had moved from Georgia to New Jersey during the Great Migration and heavily encouraged their children to get an education and be involved in church. Houston started singing in church and attended South Side High School. Houston experienced tragedy from a young age, as her mother suffered a stroke and died of a cerebral hemorrhage three years later when Houston was only eight. When she was 18, her father died of stomach cancer. She then went to live with one of her older siblings.
Cissy Houston’s Personal Life and Legacy
In 1955, Houston married Freddie Garland. They had a son together, Gary Garland, who went on to become an NBA basketball player. However, the couple divorced before Gary was born. In 1958, at the age of 24, Houston met John Houston while he was still married. They started seeing each other throughout the end of Houston’s first marriage. During this time, they had two children together. Their son Michael went on to become a songwriter and manager, and their daughter Whitney became a world-renowned singer and actress. Once his divorce was finalized in 1964, the new couple got married the following month. John served as Houston’s manager while she was in The Sweet Inspirations. The couple’s relationship eventually turned sour, and they legally separated in 1991, although they remained married until 1991.
Houston was unfortunately thrust into the spotlight due to her daughter Whitney’s struggles with drug addiction. She staged several interventions to help her daughter seek treatment and attend rehabilitation programs. However, in February of 2012, Whitney Houston died in Los Angeles. Houston was vocal about how the media mishandled coverage of the tragedy.
