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Cissy Houston Speaks Out for First Time Since Whitney's Death

Related: Whitney Houston
USMagazine, Friday, March 30, 2012, 12:55pm (PDT)

  • Cissy Houston has kept to herself since the Feb. 11 death of her world-famous daughter Whitney Houston.

    The gospel and soul singer, 78, addresses Whitney's shocking passing and its aftermath in a TV interview with New Jersey-based My9's "10 O'Clock News" airing next Monday.

    In the chat (conducted at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., where the "I Will Always Love You" singer's funeral was held), Cissy says her mourning process is far from over.

    PHOTOS: Whitney's family album

    "I have my moments," she admits. "I'm not there yet. I don't think I'm any more courageous than anyone else. I am a true believer in God. If I could bring her back I would, but that's not possible."

    Whitney was 48 years old when her body was found partially submerged in the bathtub of her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton. Autopsy results released one week ago determined that the singer's main cause of death was accidental drowning. The superstar was also suffering from the effects of heart disease, which were exacerbated by ongoing cocaine use. (Traces of cocaine were discovered in Houston's system, and the drug was also reportedly found in the hotel room.)

    PHOTOS: Whitney's highs and low

    But Cissy says she can't hold herself responsible for her daughter's demise in her later years. "I know I did the best I could," she says. "I don’t blame myself. I know I did the best I could for everything."

    In the wake of Whitney's death, Cissy watched over Bobbi Kristina, Houston's daughter with ex Bobby Brown. Bobbi is now back in Atlanta.

    "My children are my whole life," Cissy adds. "She was very special to me. . she was my only daughter, and a good one. Looked out for her family."

    And, regardless of Whitney's troubles, the icon left behind an impressive, chart-topping musical legacy.

    VIDEO: Whitney's legacy

    "I'm very proud of my daughter," says Cissy, who famously appeared in her daughter's "Greatest Love of All" video. "She accomplished a whole lot in the short time that she had here. ... She was a very wonderful person."

    The full interview airs next Monday on My9's 10 O'Clock News."

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    Check out photos from Whitney's life

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