Queen Latifah gets emotional while mourning the sad death of her beloved mother

Last Wednesday, Queen Latifah heartbreakingly announced the death of her mother after a long battle with a heart condition.

The 48-year-old actress who is knownin real life as Dana Elaine Owens released a statement about her mother Rita Owens' passing to People last Thursday about what had happened.

In the statement, she said:

"It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my mother, Rita Owens passed away today. 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."

The star went on to reveal that her mother has been suffering a heart ailment for quite a while.

"She struggled with a heart condition for many years and her battle is now over. 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."

In the past few years, Queen has been very open about her mother's condition.

"I've just learned how much you can love a person and just how strong my mother is. I've come to respect her in ways you can't even imagine."

She first made the revelation to the same magazine in 2015 and said that she has been staying in New Jersey to help care for her mom.

"As a caregiver - it's just like being a parent, like some things really don't matter. All the kind of frivolous things sort of fall to the side because there's something way more important than all that. And when we go through these things together as a family, I realize, these are the important things, these are the important moments."

Rita had a defibrillator implanted in her chest to prevent a heart attack, and followed a much stricter diet as prescribed with proper medication.

"I watched her come through so many things, ups and downs, hospitalizations - I mean really being in the ICU for that matter - you know, going through tough times and watching her come back and bounce back and still maintain this sense of humor, and love and drive and will."

"I just love her so much more, I respect her so much more. She really just gives me hope for life and the world."