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Bobby Brown reacts to the death of his late former mother-in-law Cissy Houston
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Bobby Brown reacts to the death of his late former mother-in-law Cissy Houston

Bobby Brown pays tribute to his late mother-in-law, Cissy Houston, following her death at the age of 91.

Brown, 55, married Cissy’s late daughter, Whitney Houston, from 1992 to 2007. The New Edition star shared a joint statement with his wife, Alicia Etheredge-Brown, on Monday about Cissy’s passing.

“Sending love and blessings to the Houston family at this great loss,” the statement to People said. “May she rest in peace and strength. The Browns.”

The Post has contacted Brown’s representative.

Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston and Cissy Houston in 1997.
Whitney Houston and Cissy Houston in March 1987. Getty Images

Brown and Whitney’s tumultuous relationship began when they met at the Soul Train Music Awards in 1989. Whitney’s future in the music industry seemed endless at the time and Brown was labeled a bad boy. She was immediately attracted to him.

Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown at the Ocean Club Resort in 2000. WireImage
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. RICHARD YOUNG/REX FEATURES

“He was hot, he was on fire,” Houston told Rolling Stone of their first meeting. “Me and a few friends of mine were sitting behind him. I hugged them, we laughed, and I kept hitting Bobby on the back of the head… I leaned over and said, ‘Bobby, I’m so sorry.’ And he turned around and looked at me like, ‘Yeah, well, just don’t let it happen again.’ And I thought, ‘Oooooh, this guy doesn’t like me.’ Well, I always get curious when someone doesn’t like me.

Despite all odds, Bobby and Whitney married in July 1992 at the “Queen of the Night” singer’s estate in Mendham, New Jersey. However, their 14-year marriage was plagued by allegations of infidelity, allegations of physical abuse and severe drug addiction until their divorce in April 2007.

Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston on September 10, 1998. ZUMAPRESS.com

They welcomed their only child together, daughter Bobbi Kristina, in March 1993. Sadly, she passed away in July 2015 from a combination of drowning and drug intoxication, just three years after Whitney died. Strangely enough, the mother-daughter pair died in almost identical fashion.

Cissy Houston with her late granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown. WireImage
Whitney Houston. Image/Unimedia

Whitney’s death on February 11, 2012 was ruled an accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors.

Cissy remained protective of Whitney over the years, even calling Brown’s shocking 20/20 interview about his life with his ex-wife “disgusting.”

“I am deeply disappointed that this interview to promote the story of Bobby’s life seemed to be more of an exposé on Whitney’s life,” Cissy said at the time.

Whitney and Cissy Houston in 1987. Disney general entertainment content via Getty Images
Cissy Houston. Getty Images

On Monday, October 7, the Houston family confirmed Cissy’s death at the age of 91 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The gospel icon died at her home in New Jersey while in hospice care.

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sorrow. We are losing the matriarch of our family,” her daughter-in-law Pat Houston said in a statement. “Mother Cissy has been a strong and prominent figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared deeply about family, ministry and community. Her career in music and entertainment spanning over seven decades will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”

Cissy and Whitney Houston at the “Keep A Child Alive Black Ball” in New York on September 30, 2010. AP
Cissy Houston with The Sweet Inspirations circa 1967. Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

Pat added: “Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled. We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are grateful for all the valuable life lessons she has taught us. May she rest in peace, next to her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other dear family members.”

The sweet inspirations. Getty Images

Cissy was a two-time Grammy winner who rose to popularity in the ’60s during her time in The Sweet Inspirations alongside Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warwick. During her legendary career, she was a backup singer for Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon, Bette Midler and Luther Vandross, among others.

Cissy was married twice.

Her first ex-husband was NBA basketball player Gary Garland, whom she married from 1955 to 1997. They share a son named Gary. Cissy’s second ex-husband was Whitney’s father, John Russell Houston. They also had a son, Michael. The couple legally separated in 1991. John died in 2003.