Prince’s Siblings: Remembering Singer Tyka Nelson Who Passed Away at 64

On November 4, 2024, the music world mourned the passing of Tyka Nelson, the younger sister of legendary artist Prince. Her death was announced by her son, President Nelson, though specific details regarding the circumstances remain undisclosed.

Tyka Nelson followed in her brother’s footsteps as a musician. While Prince had six living siblings, Tyka stood out as his only full sibling. Tragically, two of Prince’s half-siblings passed away prior to his own death, and another half-brother also died in 2020.

Prince’s life was cut short by a fentanyl overdose on April 21, 2016, in his Paisley Park estate, where authorities discovered his body in an elevator surrounded by scattered pills. In light of Tyka Nelson’s recent death, it’s pertinent to take a deeper look into the lives of her late brother and their extended family.

The Special Bond Between Tyka and Prince

Tyka, who was 55 at the time of Prince’s death, shared a unique bond with him, reinforced by their similar upbringing. On the day of the legendary musician’s passing, she was present at Paisley Park studios and stepped outside to comfort grieving fans, conveying her brother’s love for them.

In a candid 2003 interview with The National Enquirer, Tyka opened up about her struggles with addiction, revealing how she once pawned a car that Prince had gifted her to fund her drug use. Thankfully, it was her brother who facilitated her journey to rehabilitation and encouraged her to return to her musical roots.

Prince’s Family Legacy

Prince’s familial circle included not just Tyka, but also two half-sisters and a half-brother: Sharon Nelson, Norrine Nelson, and John R. Nelson, all of whom are older than the artist. While little information is available about Norrine and John, Sharon pursued a music career and released a CD titled 57th Street Sound in 2005.

Prince’s younger half-brother, Omarr Baker, remains somewhat of an enigma. He resides in a home owned by Prince in the Golden Valley suburb. The family has also faced the loss of Lorna Nelson, a half-sister who died in 2006, and Duane Nelson, a former security chief and half-brother who passed away in 2011.

Additionally, Prince had an older half-brother, Alfred Jackson, who was six years his senior. Despite sharing a mother, the two had not communicated for 15 years before Alfred’s death at age 66 in 2020, three years after Prince’s passing. Alfred had a distinguished career as a Vietnam veteran and lived at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center for years following his honorable discharge.

Tyka Nelson’s Musical Journey and Final Farewell

Much like her brother, Tyka carved a path in the music industry, releasing four studio albums from 1988 to 2011, including Royal Blue and A Brand New Me. Earlier in 2024, she announced plans for a retirement concert in June in Minneapolis, which unfortunately had to be canceled due to her deteriorating health.

Before the cancellation, Tyka had candidly shared her thoughts with the Minnesota Star Tribune, stating,

“I’m getting older. I really wasn’t a singer. I’m a writer. I just happen to be able to sing. I enjoy singing.”

Her last known performance was a tribute to Prince in 2018, held in Australia. During the event, Tyka expressed how music had helped her cope with the loss of her brother, revealing that her first song was dedicated to him and their parents.

In the absence of a will, Tyka Nelson and the five remaining siblings inherited Prince’s estate, highlighting their enduring legacy within the music industry.

Source & Images