She Died in Poverty at 63 — Her Brother Says Their Famous Sister Likely Spent More on Dog Food Than Her Medical Care

For years, she lived in poverty, addiction, and pain — reportedly with no support from her world-famous sister. And when she died at just 63, her heartbreaking story came to light.

The singer is seen on December 27, 2023, in Aspen, Colorado | Source: Getty Images

This woman, once a vibrant soul from Long Island, spent much of her life struggling — battling homelessness, drug addiction, and the long-term effects of untreated illness. Her younger sister? One of the most iconic voices in pop music history. But despite that, the two hadn’t spoken in decades.

The woman whose famous sister reportedly didn’t support her, as seen in a video dated May 31, 2016 | Source: YouTube/InsideEdition

Their relationship had been broken since the early 1990s, marred by allegations, pain, and public silence. In her final years, the woman moved between shelters, slept in cars, and faced trauma alone — including a 2015 home invasion that left her with brain damage. According to her brother, she pleaded for help. The response? Silence.

The woman during an interview in 2016 | Source: YouTube/Hudson Valley News Network

“She probably spent more on dog food than it would’ve cost to help her sister,” their brother later said publicly, angered by the superstar’s absence during her sister’s time of need.

The woman during an interview in 2017. | Source: YouTube/Hudson Valley News Network

The woman passed away in August 2024, the very same day their mother died — a tragic double loss for the family. The singer shared a statement expressing heartbreak, but offered no further details.

The woman receiving assistance while living in a women’s shelter in 2016. | Source: YouTube/Hudson Valley News Network

Her friend David, who stayed close to her through the end, described her as deeply intelligent and warm beneath a tough exterior. He revealed that she often wondered if her younger sister — or anyone from the family — would show up at her funeral.

The singer is seen on November 02, 2023, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

That younger sister was Mariah Carey.

Mariah Carey performing at the Global Citizen Festival on September 24, 2022, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

In her 2020 memoir, Mariah opened up about their fractured childhood, describing her siblings as toxic forces in her life. She recalled being betrayed, endangered, and traumatized — accusing Alison of drugging her, burning her, and trying to sell her to a man when she was just 12.

Despite these horrifying claims, Mariah admitted she tried to help Alison in the past, paying for rehab and treatments. But over time, the emotional toll became too heavy. “They’ve treated me like an ATM with a wig,” she once said.

Mariah’s decision to step away wasn’t about hatred, she explained — it was about survival. “I have forgiveness in my heart,” she said, “but I’m not inviting people who hurt me to hang out.”

In the end, two lives moved in opposite directions — one toward fame, the other toward suffering. And between them, a painful silence that never healed.