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Vanessa Williams’ mother, Helen Louise Williams, has died at the age of 85

Jan 2, 2025

Helen Louise Williams, singer and actress Vanessa Williams’ mother, has died at the age of 85.

According to an obituary obtained by People, the music teacher “passed away peacefully” in London on December 28th. 

The family explained in the obituary that Helen had travelled overseas to watch her daughter Vanessa play fashion editor Miranda Priestly during the opening night of The Devil Wears Prada on the West End.

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Vanessa Williams and mother Helen Williams

The trip was arranged “to celebrate her 85th birthday party surrounded by 150 of her family and friends,” the obituary said. 

“During her visit she suffered a major decline in health which ended her life.”

Per the obituary, Helen’s cause of death was listed as complications of acute liver failure. 

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Helen’s family also shared a message that she would teach her music students: “Work the best you can and don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something – ever! Make up your mind, prepare yourself, study hard, and be very, very confident.”

Helen was born on December 8, 1939, in Buffalo, New York, before beginning a career as an educator.

The mother-of-two spent over two decades working in the Ossining and Manhattanville School Districts and was also a professor at Manhattanville College. She retired in 1996.

Vanessa Williams and mother Helen Williams

Helen was an accomplished pianist, which led her to teach private piano lessons and perform at music recitals and events run by her community and church. 

In 2012, Helen co-wrote the New York Times best-selling memoir, You Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her No-nonsense Mother, and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss (and Each Other) with Irene Surtell.

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“The book illuminates her patented and revered character traits; a commanding presence, pint-sized authority, imposing stare, acerbic wit, no-nonsense talk, undying fidelity, and support for her children and grandchildren,” the obituary read.

Helen was also the youngest Black student at the State University of New York at Fredonia when she was 16, a triumph that her daughter Vanessa would later replicate. 

Vanessa Williams and mother Helen Williams

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In 1984, Vanessa became the first black woman to be crowned Miss America.

Helen is survived by her brother Federick Tinch, her children Vanessa and Chris Williams, four grandchildren from her daughter as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

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