Photo: Getty Images
Tyka Nelson, the sister of late singer Prince and an artist herself, has died, per the Minnesota Star Tribune. She was 64.
According to the outlet, Tyka's son, President Nelson, said his mom died on Monday (November 4).
Charles "Chazz" Smith, Tyka's cousin, also confirmed her death 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," Smith wrote.
It's unclear what her cause of death was.
Tyka Nelson was born to John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw Nelson as Prince's only full sister. Along with her brother, Tyka pursued a music career, releasing four albums, 1988's Royal Blue, 1992's Yellow Moon, Red Sky, 2008's A Brand New Me, and 2011's Hustler.
Tyka's last public performance was in Australia in 2018. After announcing her retirement, Tyka was scheduled to hold a farewell concert in Minnesota in June, but she reportedly fell ill and couldn't go through with the show.
"I’m getting older," she told the Tribune at the time. "I really wasn’t a singer. I’m a writer. I just happen to be able to sing. I enjoy singing."
According to the Tribune, Tyka was working on a memoir "about me and my family" as of June.
"We’ve got a few more chapters," she said that month.
Tyka is survived by her husband, Maurice Phillips, and their six children.
Rest in peace, Tyka Nelson.
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