The Story of Mariah Carey's Parents
Mariah Carey's parents are Alfred Roy Carey and Patricia Hickey Carey. They married in 1960 but divorced in 1973 when Mariah was just three years old. Despite their separation, they had three children: Mariah, Alison, and Morgan. Alfred passed away in 2002 from a rare form of bile duct cancer, while Patricia died in 2024 at age 87.
Key Takeaways
- Alfred Roy Carey and Patricia Hickey married in 1960, facing racist violence due to their interracial union.
- Alfred was of African-American and Venezuelan descent; Patricia was Irish-American.
- Alfred died on July 4, 2002, from bile duct cancer.
- Patricia died on August 24, 2024.
Patricia Hickey Carey
Patricia Hickey was born on February 17, 1937, in Springfield, Illinois. She was a Juilliard-trained opera singer and vocal coach who performed with the New York City Opera. In 1977, she released the album To Start Again. After marrying Alfred, she set aside her career to raise their family, a decision that Mariah later questioned in her memoir. Patricia was disowned by her mother for marrying a black man. On The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1999, she recounted the racial discrimination and violent attacks they endured. Patricia and Mariah had a complicated relationship but remained in contact, even recording a duet for Mariah's 2010 Christmas album. In her memoir, Mariah described their bond as a "prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration and disappointment." Tragically, Patricia and Mariah's sister Alison died on the same day in 2024.
Alfred Roy Carey
Alfred Roy Carey was born on October 23, 1929, in New York City. He was of African-American and Afro-Venezuelan descent; his grandfather, Francisco Nuñez, served as a Venezuelan consul. Alfred had a difficult upbringing and enlisted in the military to find discipline and freedom, as Mariah wrote in her memoir. After service, he moved to Brooklyn Heights and became an aeronautical engineer working on military contracts. He married Patricia on February 20, 1960, in Brooklyn. They had three children: Morgan, Alison, and Mariah. Alfred died on July 4, 2002, from bile duct cancer. Mariah reconciled with him before his death.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What ethnicity are Mariah Carey's parents? Her father was African-American and Afro-Venezuelan; her mother was Irish-American.
- What happened to Mariah Carey's dad? He died in 2002 from bile duct cancer.
- Does Mariah Carey have black heritage? Yes, from her father.
- Does Mariah Carey have a relationship with her dad? She reconciled with him before his death.
- Are Mariah Carey's parents alive? No, both are deceased.
- Who is Alison Carey? Mariah's older sister.
Conclusion
Mariah Carey's parents, Alfred Roy Carey and Patricia Hickey, chose each other at a time when interracial love was dangerous in America. They faced shootings, poisoned pets, and family estrangement. These experiences shaped Mariah's voice, identity, and success. Legit.ng also published an article about Mariah's siblings, detailing her complicated relationship with them before Alison's death.
