Queen Latifah's Mother Rita Owens Passes Away Due To A Heart Condition

Queen Latifah announces that her mom, Rita Owens, passed away on Wednesday, March 21 after a long struggle with a heart condition.

Owens dealt with the condition for more than 10 years already and now, the matriarch had taken a rest. The Taxi star called her mom a "bright light."

"Anyone that has ever met her knows what a bright light she was on this earth. She was gentle, but strong, sweet, but sassy, worldy but pragmatic, a woman of great faith and certainly the love of my life," Latifah said.

Latifah, who is Dana Owens in real life, said she is currently reeling from her mom's demise but that she knows Owens is now at peace. As a closing note, the comedian expressed her gratitude to the people who showed their support and wished for everyone to respect her family during this trying time.

Battle

Her mom's long battle against the condition has been in the out, and Latifah never shied away with how her mom was doing. In an interview, the 48-year-old underlined and highlighted Owens's strength in the mid of the then ongoing fight against what had cast shadow on her health.

The public got a full wind of Latifah's mom's condition in 2015, when the actress had a sit-down to talk about the issue. Apparently, Owens's condition had been diagnosed when she was at work, at a school in New Jersey, when she suddenly fainted.

From that interview, it can be deduced that Latifah was more than determined and willing to do whatever it takes to keep Owens comfortable. Doctors found out that the Owens's heart is finding it hard to pump enough blood to suffice the whole body.

To address that, doctors opted to put a defibrillator on her chest to avoid attacks and Owens had since been put on a strict diet consisting of low-salt and -fat food. She had also been refrained from doing strenuous or even simple chores, a far cry from the active Owens who used to dance.

Ever-Supportive Daughter

Latifah, who saw her mom's ups and downs, had noticeably been there through it all, even if it meant her being a caregiver. Indeed, she considers her family the most important chunk of her life and no amount of work or money could ever equate to that, and add to that the Girls Trip actress's utmost respect to her mom, whom she never fails to praise and show her unceasing support to.

"When we go through these things together as a family, I realize, these are the important things, these are the important moments," Latifah shared.