Was Mariah Carey's Mom an Opera Singer? What We Know About Patricia Carey and Her Tragic Passing

Mariah Carey's mother, Patricia Carey, was more than just a supportive parent to the iconic pop diva. She was a trained opera singer and a dedicated vocal coach who influenced her daughter's rise to stardom. Patricia died at the age of 87, and her passing came with additional emotional weight for Mariah.

Her passing coincided with the loss of Mariah's estranged sister, Alison, on the very same day. Here are quick facts about Patricia Carey, her opera background, relationship with Mariah, and what we know about her recent death.

About Patricia Carey and Coincidental Passing of Alison Carey

Patricia Hickey Carey was born on 15 February 1937 in Virgin, Utah, in Springfield Illinois. Her love for music began from listening to classical music on the radio.

She would fall in love with opera and move on to New York City, winning a scholarship to Julliard. She performed with the New York City Opera and later became a vocal coach.

Patricia was married to Alfred Roy Carrey. The couple had three children, including Alison, Mariah, and Morgan. The parents divorced when Mariah was 3 years old.

She recorded an album in 1977 titled 'To Start Again', which featured 13 tracks. However, she would retire due to raising three children.

She was reportedly moved to a senior living home in West Palm Beach, Florida in 2020. A year later, Mariah would sell the house she had bought for her mother in the 1990s located in Westchester, New York.

Patricia passed away at the age of 87, with the cause of death still unclear to this day. However, Mariah suggests that it may have been a peaceful death. She said she was 'blessed' that she was able to spend the last week with her personally before her passing.

A report noted that Patricia and Mariah's sister, Alison Carey, died on the same day. Alison has been estranged from Mariah for decades, leading a troubled life with drug addiction.

She died in hospice care at age 63 in Greene County, New York. While a friend helped her navigate housing and benefits issues, her death was linked to complications with organ functions.

Relationship With Mariah Carey

While Mariah did inherit her vocal talents from her mother, their relationship was complicated throughout her life. In her memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, she addressed complications between them.

'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 in her 2020 memoir.

Mariah described her as a neglectful parent, adding that Patricia, who was white, fed her insecurities in a number of ways. This included not tending to her biracial daughter's hair.

However, she'd credit her as well, acknowledging her as a Julliard-trained opera singer. Even with their rocky relationship, she would encourage her to sing and explore her talent.

'Our relationship is a prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration and disappointment,' she continued. 'A complicated love tethers my heart to my mother's'.

On a lighter note, Patricia did make appearances alongside Mariah on Oprah. The pair also collaborated on a holiday song in 2010. 'O Come All Ye Faithful' can be found in Mariah's album, Merry Christmas II You.