Mariah Carey is well-known throughout the world for her powerful vocals, multi-platinum albums, and timeless hits like “Hero,” “We Belong Together,” and the beloved holiday song “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” But while the world celebrates her musical achievements, far less is known about the Mariah Carey siblings and the complex dynamics that have unfolded over the years within her family.
This article dives into the lesser-known side of Mariah’s personal life, especially her strained and often painful relationships with her siblings—Alison Carey and Morgan Carey. We’ll look at their histories, conflicts, and the effects of Mariah’s notoriety on their familial relationships.
Table of Contents
Who Are Mariah Carey’s Siblings?
To understand the Mariah Carey siblings story, we have to go back to the beginning.
On March 27, 1969, Mariah was born in Huntington, New York. She is the youngest of three children born to Patricia Hickey, an Irish-American opera singer and voice instructor, and Alfred Roy Carey, an African-American and Venezuelan aeronautical engineer.
She has:
- An older sister, Alison Carey (born 1962)
- An older brother, Morgan Carey (born 1960)
Although they all share the same parents, their lives took very different turns after their parents‘ divorce when Mariah was just three years old.
A Family Torn Apart Early
After the divorce:
- Alison Carey stayed with their father, Alfred.
- Morgan Carey moved between homes.
- Mariah Carey lived with her mother, Patricia.
This early separation played a big role in their fractured relationships. Each sibling experienced a different childhood, shaped by instability, racism, poverty, and emotional neglect.
In multiple interviews and in her memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey (2020), Mariah speaks candidly about the emotional abuse and trauma she endured in her family—much of it stemming from her siblings.
Alison Carey: Mariah’s Estranged Sister
The most controversial of the Mariah Carey siblings is undoubtedly Alison Carey. Her life has been marked by struggles with:
- Drug addiction
- HIV
- Legal troubles
- Alleged prostitution
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Alison publicly criticized Mariah, accusing her of abandoning the family. She gave multiple tabloid interviews claiming Mariah had refused to help with her medical needs.
However, Mariah tells a different story.
In her memoir, she calls Alison “my ex-sister” and accuses her of severely abusive behavior during their childhood, including:
- Giving her Valium at age 12
- Burning her
- Trying to “pimp her out”
These are serious and painful accusations, and they’ve been a key reason Mariah has cut off contact with Alison despite offering financial assistance over the years.
Alison’s Legal and Health Struggles
Alison was detained on suspicion of prostitution in Saugerties, New York, in 2016. She later released a video plea to Mariah asking for help while referencing their religious upbringing.
Mariah didn’t respond publicly, but sources close to her confirmed she had already paid for multiple stints in rehab and medical care for Alison over the years.
Morgan Carey: The Brother Who Spoke Out
The other Mariah Carey sibling is Morgan Carey, who has also had a contentious relationship with the pop star.
Morgan is a former fitness trainer and entrepreneur who’s now involved in music and film production. He has accused Mariah of being selfish and not helping their sister during times of crisis.
In an explosive 2016 interview, Morgan called Mariah “heartless” and “self-absorbed,” suggesting she was too focused on her career to care for the family.
Mariah, in her memoir, suggests otherwise—painting Morgan as violent, controlling, and emotionally abusive.
“He was always yelling, always angry. “He scared me,” she wrote.
Was Morgan Motivated by Jealousy?
While Morgan claims he only wanted to expose the truth, many believe jealousy may have played a part. Unlike Mariah, Morgan never achieved the same level of success or recognition. His media appearances often coincide with times Mariah is in the spotlight, raising questions about his true motivations.
Mariah’s Perspective: Survival Over Sentiment
In The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the singer reveals that she refers to both Alison and Morgan as her “ex-siblings.” She says their abusive actions made it impossible for her to maintain a relationship with them.
“You can’t let toxic people, even family, destroy your peace,” she wrote.
Mariah has made it clear that her boundaries are not about ego or fame—but about mental health and healing from trauma. She has gone so far as to claim that writing her memoir served as therapy.
Fans’ Mixed Reactions
The public has always been divided on the Mariah Carey siblings drama. Some sympathize with Alison and Morgan, viewing Mariah’s fame and fortune as a reason to support them unconditionally.
Others believe that family does not excuse abuse, and applaud Mariah for choosing her well-being over obligation.
This debate touches on a much larger cultural issue: Should successful family members feel obligated to support toxic or troubled relatives?
A Personal Reflection: Walking Away from Family
Reading about Mariah Carey’s siblings and her difficult choices brought up memories from my own life. Like many people, I’ve had to make the heartbreaking decision to cut off contact with a close family member.
It’s never easy. You grow up believing that family is forever, that blood is thicker than water. But when relationships become toxic, you either drown or swim away.
I see Mariah’s story as not one of cruelty, but one of courage.
Are They Still Estranged?
Yes. As of 2025, Mariah Carey remains estranged from both Alison and Morgan Carey.
- They were not invited to her ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- She did not mention them during her Songwriters Hall of Fame induction.
- They were notably absent from her 2020 memoir’s dedication page.
This estrangement seems final, at least for now.
Mariah Carey’s Chosen Family
These days, Mariah focuses on her children, her close circle, and her fans. She calls them her “real family”—those who encourage her rather than bring her down.
In interviews, she’s talked about how she’s breaking generational trauma so her children won’t experience what she did.
Final Thoughts: A Painful But Powerful Story
The story of the Mariah Carey siblings isn’t about tabloid drama—it’s about family pain, personal boundaries, and survival.
Mariah Carey didn’t choose fame over family. She chose healing over hurt, peace over guilt, and truth over silence.
While we may never know every detail of what happened behind closed doors, her honesty opens the door for others to speak out, too.
FAQs
1. Who are Mariah Carey’s siblings?
Mariah Carey has two older siblings: Alison Carey (sister) and Morgan Carey (brother).
2. Are Mariah Carey and her siblings close?
No, Mariah Carey is currently estranged from both of her siblings due to a long history of family conflict and trauma.
3. How did Mariah Carey and her sister Alison end up together?
Mariah has accused Alison of abuse and betrayal, including drugging her as a child. Despite some financial help, Mariah has cut ties with Alison.
4. Why is Mariah Carey not close to her brother Morgan?
Morgan Carey has publicly criticized Mariah in the media. Mariah characterized him as emotionally abusive and violent in her memoir.
5. Did Mariah Carey mention her siblings in her memoir?
Yes, in The Meaning of Mariah Carey, she discusses her siblings at length, calling them her “ex-sister” and “ex-brother” due to their toxic behavior.
