Superstar singer Prince‘s sister Tyka Nelson has died. She was 64 years of age.
In a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Prince’s nephew, President Nelson, confirmed that Tyka passed away on Monday morning (11.04,) but declined to offer further details about his mother’s passing. In addition, her half-sister Sharon Nelson told the publication, “She had her own mind. She’s in a better place.”
Taking to Facebook, Tyka’s cousin Charles ‘Chazz’ Smith broke the news by writing “Our family is very saddened to share the news of my cousin Tyka Evene Nelson who passed away this morning.”
Tyka, the daughter of jazz artists John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw Nelson, was born two years after Prince, her only full sibling and, like her older brother, she pursued a music career, releasing four LPs between the years1988 and 2011.
According to the outlet, Tyka was planning to retire from music in June 0f 2024 with a farewell concert in Minneapolis before she fell ill and was unable to perform. At the time, the musician said:
“I’m getting older. I really wasn’t a singer. I’m a writer. I just happen to be able to sing. I enjoy singing,” revealing that she was also writing a memoir.
Married to Maurice Phillips, Tyka is survived by six children; President LenNard, Danielle, Crystal, Rachard, Sir Montece, and Chelsea.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Scott Penner