Tyka Nelson's Cause of Death Revealed as Cardiac Arrest and Congestive Heart Failure: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Tyka Nelson in Los Angeles in February 2017.Photo:David Livingston/Getty

David Livingston/Getty

A cause of death has been revealed forTyka Nelson, the younger sister of Prince Rogers Nelson, professionally known asPrince.

The Minneapolis singer, who recently retired from music after scheduling a farewell concert in June, died due to cardiac arrest as the primary cause of death, and congestive heart failure as the secondary cause,TMZ reports.

Tyka Nelson.Cindy Barrymore/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Cindy Barrymore/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Tyka was 64 at the time of her death.

The family’s cousin, Charles “Chazz” Smith, previously announced the news in asocial media poston Nov. 4. “Our family is very saddened to share the news of my cousin Tyka Evene Nelson who passed away this morning,” he wrote.

One of her sons, President LenNard Laeil Nelson, later confirmed her death toThe Minnesota Star Tribune.

Substance abuse also contributed to Tyka having a weakened heart, authorities said.

Tyka was Prince’s only full sibling, and shared parents John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw Nelson.

Tyka Nelson in Los Angeles in November 2016.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

She released four albums during her music career, which included 1988’sRoyal Blue, 1992’sYellow Moon, Red Sky, 2008’sA Brand New Meand 2011’sHustler.

The singer shared six children — daughters Danielle Phillips, Crystal Phillips, Chelsea Phillips, and sons Rachard Phillips, Sir Montece Laeil and President — with husband Maurice Phillips.

Speaking to theTribunein June, Tyka said she hadbegun working on a memoir"about me and my family,” but it was not finished at the time of the interview. “We’ve got a few more chapters,” she added.

During the conversation, she also expressed gratitude for the people she’d met in her life, as her late brother’s legacy.

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“I’m one heck of a grateful person who had wonderful people in their life. I miss their wisdom,” Tyka said.

She continued, “If I could I’d travel the whole world and meet people that loved him — I’m kind of the last link to him, for some people — it’s like giving back to him. As far as I’m concerned, he stayed because they loved his music.”

source: people.com