Queen Latifah mourns the loss of her mother.
On Wednesday, Queen Latifah announced that her mother, Rita Owens, had passed away after battling a heart condition for more than a decade. Latifah confirmed the devastating news to People in an exclusive statement.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my mother, Rita Owens passed away today. Anyone that has ever met her knows what a bright light she was on this earth. She was gentle, but strong, sweet, but sassy, worldy but pragmatic, a woman of great faith and certainly the love of my life.”
“She had struggled with a heart condition for many years and her battle is now over. I am heartbroken but know she is at peace. Thank you for your kindness, support and respect for our privacy at this time. Much Love, Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah), forever Rita Owens’ daughter.”
Prior to her Owens’ passing, Latifah asked her 3.5 million Instagram followers to pray for mother in a heartfelt post, “Words can’t to the express on the gratitude that I feel for the love and well wishes from friends family and all of you out there who just got love for the Queen! But just know in the words of my brother Tupac, You are appreciated! Also please continue to send prayers up to my moms speedy recovery! GOD CAN!!! ❤️😊”
Owens, who was a teacher at the same Irvington, New Jersey, high school that Latifah attended, opened up about her condition in an 2015 interview with People, “I found myself becoming a recluse. You have to understand your body is not processing the same way it was before. I started counting the things I can’t do instead of the things I can do. And I said, ‘Nope, this is not acceptable.”
Sending condolences to the Owens family during this trying time.
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