Cicely Tyson dead at 96: Lenny Kravitz pays tribute to late Godmother

Lenny Kravitz paid tribute to his godmother Cicely Tyson after her death at the age of 96 (Photo: Getty)

Lenny Kravitz paid tribute to his godmother Cicely Tyson after his death, recalling their last conversation a few days before his death.

Her family announced Thursday that the Oscar-nominated actress has died at the age of 96.

Kravitz shared a heartfelt greeting with Tyson on Instagram, saying his role in his life has become more intense since his mother’s death.

He wrote: With inimitable style and grace, my dear godmother Miss Cicely Tyson has made her grand entrance into paradise. She lived a great life until the last moment. A true pioneer who gave her heart and soul so we could live the spirit of the characters she portrayed so brilliantly and who continue to move and inspire generations.

A black queen who showed us how beautiful black is. The love between us was and still is immense. As long as I’m conscious, I know the godmother. She and my mother were soul mates. Sisters. And after my mother died, my godmother’s role in my life became more intense. I could feel his spirit above me the whole time. She has always supported me unconditionally.

She came to my shows, went on vacation, met me for dinner, stayed with me in Paris when I first moved there, and never lost sight of me. Our phone calls sometimes lasted for hours. We talked a few days ago and we talked about everything.

She just sent me her book, which was on her nightstand, where it will be kept. She did everything, wrote the book, and then God called her. I can hear the godmother talking: Okay, you can check now. I’m going home. Rest in peace, godmother. You’ve made everything excellent.

Tyson has had a 60-year career (Photo: Getty).

News of Tyson’s death was shared by his manager Larry Thompson in a statement: During her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the few award-winning actresses whose work on screen was surpassed only by what she could accomplish thanks to him.

She had a heart like no other and in her 96 years she left a mark on the world that few people can.

Help, an actor whose career spans more than six decades, was close with activist Maya Angelou and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2016.