(CNN) Queen Latifah announced on Thursday that her mother, Rita Owens, has died. The actress released a statement stating her mother passed away Wednesday after a longtime battle with heart disease. "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my mother, Rita Owens passed away today," Latifah said in a statement to People . Much Love, Dana Owens (aka Queen Latif‎ah), forever Rita Owens' daughter." Latifah has been open about her mother's struggle in interviews and on social media.

Source: CNN March 22, 2018 18:22 UTC