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Queen Latifah Announces Her Mother Rita Owens Has Died After Long Battle With Heart Condition

Our love, prayers and deepest condolences go out to Queen Latifah and her family.

The Oscar-nominated actress has announced that her mother died on Wednesday after battling with a heart condition.

The 48-year-old – real name Dana Elaine Owens – released a statement about mom Rita Owens to People on Thursday.

Queen Latifah Announces Her Mother Rita Owens Has Died After Long Battle With Heart Condition

The Ladies First artist said: ‘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.’

Queen Latifah Announces Her Mother Rita Owens Has Died After Long Battle With Heart Condition

‘She was gentle, but strong, sweet, but sassy, worldly but pragmatic, a woman of great faith and certainly the love of my life.’

The legendary raptress went on to reveal that her mother had lived with her heart ailment for an extended period.

Queen Latifah Announces Her Mother Rita Owens Has Died After Long Battle With Heart Condition

Latifah added: ‘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.’

Queen Latifah Announces Her Mother Rita Owens Has Died After Long Battle With Heart Condition
Essence

‘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.’

In recent years Latifah has been open about her mother’s long battle.

Queen Latifah Announces Her Mother Rita Owens Has Died After Long Battle With Heart Condition

‘I’ve just learned how much you can love a person and just how strong my mother is,’ she revealed during an interview with People back in September.

‘I’ve come to respect her in ways you can’t even imagine.’

The Bessie actress took care of her mom in her New Jersey home when she wasn’t working.

Queen Latifah Announces Her Mother Rita Owens Has Died After Long Battle With Heart Condition

‘As a caregiver – it’s just like being a parent, like some things really don’t matter,’ Latifah said.

‘All the kind of frivolous things sort of fall to the side because there’s something way more important than all that.

‘And when we go through these things together as a family, I realize, these are the important things, these are the important moments.’

She also said that at the time Rita had a defibrillator implanted in her chest to prevent a heart attack.

Queen Latifah Announces Her Mother Rita Owens Has Died After Long Battle With Heart Condition

Latifah said:  ‘I watched her come through so many things, ups and downs, hospitalizations.’

‘I mean really being in the ICU for that matter – you know, going through tough times and watching her come back and bounce back, and still maintain this sense of humor, and love and drive and will.’

‘I just love her so much more, I respect her so much more. She really just gives me hope for life and the world.’

Written by Christine Haveford

Christine loves all things cinema, and she's been that way ever since she was a little girl. In fact, she is so passionate about cinema that she decided to pursue cinematography as a full-time career, and is now pursuing film studies at the New York Film School. Originally from Florida, she is still exploring the new city, people, places, and the culture, loves the new weather, going ice skating during winters, and spending time with her fellow classmates and friends from college.

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