The Oscar-nominated director paid tribute to his younger sister Lydia Ruth Daniels-Rooks on Instagram Jan. 10 Lee Daniels is mourning the death of his younger sister Lydia Ruth Daniels-Rooks. "As the fires are burning,

Lee Daniels is mourning the loss of his sister Lydia, who inspired Taraji P. Henson's Empire character Loretha "Cookie" Lyon.

Lee Daniels has announced his younger sister Lydia Ruth Daniels-Rooks, who inspired the Empire character Cookie Lyon, has died. Deadline reports that Daniels posted about his sister’s death on his Instagram,

Lee Daniels is sharing unfortunate news about the person who inspired his famous “Cookie Lyon” character off his popular 2015 music drama show, “Empire.”