Tyka Nelson, Prince’s Sister, Passes Away At 64

Tyka Nelson, the Minneapolis-based singer and sister of the late superstar Prince, passed away on Monday at the age of 64. Her son President Nelson announced her death to the Minnesota Star Tribune, though no cause was given. She had been in declining health for some time. Born on May 18, 1960, in Minneapolis to pianist John L. Nelson and jazz singer Mattie Shaw Nelson, Tyka Nelson was the only full sibling of Prince Rogers Nelson. Over her career, she recorded four albums between 1988 and 2011 and performed occasionally in recent years, including a performance in 2008 at the Minneapolis club Bunkers and another in Australia ten years later. She had planned to appear at a farewell concert last June at the Dakota jazz club in Minneapolis but was too ill to attend, leading the event to proceed as a tribute to her. Tyka and five of Prince’s half-siblings were declared the legal heirs to Prince’s substantial estate, though legal disputes continued for years. Two years ago, the estate, valued at over $150 million, was divided between a group representing some of the half-siblings and another group associated with Primary Wave publishing, which had previously purchased Tyka Nelson’s interests. Tyka Nelson is survived by her sons President and Sir, sisters Sharon and Norrine Nelson, and brother Omarr Baker.