Queen Latifah Mourns the Death of Her Mother Rita Owens

Queen Latfiah's mother, Rita Owens, has died after struggling with a heart condition for many years.

The Girls Trip star confirmed the news on Wednesday, sharing the heartbreaking news in a statement given to ET.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my mother, Rita Owens, passed away today," Latfiah expressed. "Anyone that has ever met her knows what a bright light she was on this earth. She was gentle, but strong, sweet, but sassy, worldly but pragmatic, a woman of great faith and certainly the love of my life."

"She had struggled with a heart condition for many years and her battle is now over," she continued. "I am heartbroken but know she is at peace. Thank you for your kindness, support and respect for our privacy at this time. Much Love, Dana Owens (aka Queen Latif‎ah), forever Rita Owens' daughter."

On Monday, Latifah shared an Instagram video of flowers, asking people to continue to pray for her mother's speedy recovery.

"Words can’t to the express on the gratitude that I feel for the love and well wishes from friends family and all of you out there who just got love for the Queen! But just know in the words of my brother Tupac, You are appreciated!" she wrote. "Also please continue to send prayers up to my mom's speedy recovery! GOD CAN!!! ❤️?."

In 2016, the singer and actress opened up about her mother's heart failure diagnosis in an American Heart Association Mother's Day message.

"I can't imagine my life without my mom," she expressed. "My mom is the strongest person I know, and she's committed to rising about heart failure."

ET's Cameron Mathison sat down with Latifah and Wilson in 2015 to also talk about the AHA's Rise Above Heart Failure Movement and about her mother's diagnosis.

"She's always been about empowering people by sharing her story. If her story could help someone else, by sharing information, that's really important," Latifah shared. Additionally, after hearing about her mother's heath struggles, she flew her across the country to be closer.

"It's important. I am a part of her life in that sense and make sure she's OK. At the time, [I was] planning to do a talk show [and] there's no way I could be in New Jersey and be in L.A. at the same time," she explained. "And I was really concerned. We moved the whole family out, my cousin was there and this is something she was agreeable to."

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