Vanessa Williams pays tribute to ‘loyal’ mother following her death aged 85
Share:
Model, singer and actress Vanessa Williams has paid tribute to her “loyal” mother Helen Williams following her death at the age of 85. The 61-year-old said her mother died “surrounded by family and friends” just 20 days after celebrating her birthday at a performance of The Devil Wears Prada in London, which Williams was starring in.
In a post on Instagram announcing her death, Williams said her mother died due to complications from acute liver failure at The London Clinic. She said: “On December 28, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature packed into a 5ft frame.
“Our mom, Helen Williams, aka Gaga to many, took her final bow in London 20 days after celebrating her 85th birthday surrounded by family and friends. “It’s impossible to describe all she meant to everyone because each person saw a different facet of her. Loyal friend to many, icy stares to a chosen few.
“We will miss it all.”. In her post, Williams, who was the first black woman to win the Miss America title, said her mother had worked as a vocal music teacher for more than 40 years in the Ossining and Manhattanville school districts in the US. Alongside her mother, Williams wrote a book called, You Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her Problems, Her No-Nonsense Mother, which sees the star detail her upbringing, rise to fame and personal struggles.
