Mary Wilson, an original member of the Supremes, has died at age 76.
According to her publicist Jay Schwartz, Wilson – a co-founding member of The Supremes – passed away “suddenly” at her Las Vegas home on Monday night.
Reacting to her death, Motown label founder Berry Gordy said in a statement:
“I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supremes… I was always proud of Mary. She was quite a star in her own right and over the years continued to work hard to boost the legacy of the Supremes. Mary Wilson was extremely special to me. She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed.”
TV personality Sherri Shepherd and singer Ledisi were among the other names paying tribute to Wilson on social media.
She shared a YouTube video announcing she was working on new music just two days before her death.
Wilson told fans that she signed with Universal Music and was working on some solo tracks. She hoped the project would be released on her birthday — March 6.
Wilson was a co-founder of The Supremes, alongside Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, and she was featured on all 12 of the group’s chart-topping hits from 1964 until 1969, including “Stop! In The Name of Love” and “You Keep Me Hanging On.”
Ms. Wilson is pictured with famed fashion designer Sir Keith Holman who designed stage costumes for The Supremes at their peak.
Wilson also appeared on U.S. TV talent show Dancing With the Stars in 2019.
She’s survived by daughter Turkessa, son Pedro Antonio Jr and six grandchildren.
