Mary Wilson from The Supremes has died suddenly at the age of 76.
Her cause of death has not been confirmed but her funeral service will be private due to COVID.
The Motown star’s publicist, the founder of the Motown label Berry Gordy, confirmed the tragic news and said he is “shocked and saddened” that she is gone.
Gordy said: “I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family, Mary Wilson of the Supreme.
“Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early 1960s.
“After an unprecedented string of No. 1 hits, television and nightclub bookings, they opened doors for themselves, the other Motown acts, and many, many others.”
Mary Wilson, co-founder of The Supremes, has died at age 76 in Las Vegas, Nevad (Image: Michael Ochs Archives)
“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.”
Gordy said the star died on Monday night at her home in Las Vegas but it is yet to be revealed what caused the star’s death.
Mary died suddenly and her death has ‘shocked’ her agent (Image: WireImage)
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a private funeral and public memorial later in the year are planned to honour her life.
At just the age of 15 Mary co-founded her band the Supremes in Detroit.
The trio stayed together until they split and went their separate ways on 1977.
To this day, the group are still America’s most successful vocal group to date – with 12 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
Mary’s funeral is taking place once the pandemic eases (Image: WireImage)
During her last few years the star began returning to the spotlight.
In 2019 she was everywhere including starring on the 28th season of the USA’s Dancing With the Star and she also published her fourth book, Supreme Glamour, in that same year.
Only two days before her death, Mary uploaded a video to her YouTube channel to tell her fans she was planning to release more music.
She said: “Hopefully some of that will be out on my birthday, March 6.”
Mary also promised her fans that she would be giving interviews about The Supremes’ experiences with segregation for Black History Month later this year.
Tributes have poured in on social media for the star as one fan tweeted: “Rest in Peace to a Soul Music Pioneer #MaryWilson of the Supremes! REST IN HEAVEN.”
“RIP Mary Wilson,” said another.
“Stop! In the name of Love! Rip Mary Wilson, Supremes #legend #girlband,” tweeted one.
A fourth said: “Very sorry to hear this news. RIP Mary Wilson.”
The Supremes were best known for their huge hits in the 60s, including Come See About Me and Baby Love.
Mary appeared on all 12 of the group’s number hits from 1964 until 1969.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
