Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister, has passed away at the 64-years-old.
Her passing was confirmed by her cousin, Charles “Chazz” Smith who announced it in a social media post. “Our family is very saddened to share the news of my cousin Tyka Evene Nelson who passed away this morning,” he wrote.
Nelson’s death was also confirmed by her son, President LenNard Laeil Nelson, however, he declined to give more details surrounding her passing. During her lifetime, she released four albums between 1988 and 2011.
Before her untimely passing, she announced her retirement and was set to have a retirement concert in June at the Dakota. Unfortunately, she became sick during the concert and the show continued without her.
Before her June show, Nelson told the Minnesota Star Tribune, “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.” Tyka Nelson was also writing a memoir. In 2008, she held her last performance in the Twin Cities and made her last public performance in Australia in 2018.
Sharon Nelson, her sister, said “She had her own mind and she’s in a better place.” Tyka Nelson is survived by her sons President and Sir, sisters Sharon and Norrine Nelson, and her brother Omarr Baker.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this time.