Prince’s Sister Tyka Nelson Dead at 64

Tyka Nelson, the sister of the late music icon Prince, passed away on November 4, 2024, at the age of 64. Born on May 18, 1960, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she was the daughter of jazz musician John L. Nelson and singer Mattie Della Shaw. Tyka was Prince’s only full sibling, sharing both parents with him.

Throughout her life, Tyka pursued a career in music, releasing four albums between 1988 and 2011. Her debut album, Royal Blue, featured the single “Marc Anthony’s Tune,” which reached No. 33 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in July 1988. Despite her musical endeavors, she often remained in the shadow of her brother’s immense fame.

In recent years, Tyka had been working on a memoir detailing her life and family experiences. She had also planned a farewell concert in June 2024 at the Dakota in Minneapolis, coinciding with what would have been Prince’s 66th birthday. Unfortunately, due to illness, she was unable to perform at the event.

Tyka is survived by her two sons, President and Sir, and her siblings Sharon, Norrine, and Omarr. Her passing comes eight years after Prince’s death in 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose. The family has requested privacy during this time and has asked that, in lieu of flowers, people take care of one another.