Patricia was a celebrated Juilliard-trained opera singer and vocal coach. She passed on her extraordinary musical gifts to her daughter. Mariah’s unmistakable five-octave range and powerful voice can be traced directly back to her mother’s operatic roots.

However, their relationship was far from perfect. Mariah’s bond with Patricia was as complicated as it was meaningful. In her 2020 memoir, “The Meaning of Mariah Carey,” the singer candidly peeled back the layers of their connection.

She described it as a journey full of contradictions and competing realities—a mixture of emotions that could never be reduced to simple black and white. “It’s been a whole rainbow of emotions,” she wrote, hinting at the depth and complexity that defined their dynamic.

Mariah poetically captured the essence of their relationship as a “prickly rope of pride, pain, shame, gratitude, jealousy, admiration, and disappointment.” Despite the struggles, the love between them ran deep.

In 2010, the mother-daughter duo joined forces for a heartwarming performance during “Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You” on ABC, delivering a stirring rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus.” It was a rare and tender moment that showcased their shared musical heritage.

Mariah’s love for her mother, despite the thorns, remained unwavering. Even amid their complicated bond, Mariah always found moments to celebrate the woman who gave her life—and her voice.

In 2019, the singer took to social media to wish her mother a happy birthday, sharing a touching throwback photo of herself as a child, lovingly cradled in Patricia’s arms. Alongside the post, the singer penned a heartwarming caption, “Happy birthday to a true diva—my mom, Patricia Carey! ❤️❤️❤️.”