Mary Wilson, Founding Member of The Supremes, Dies At 76

Mary Wilson, founding member of The Supremes, has died at the age of 76.

Longtime friend and publicist Jay Schwartz said Wilson “passed away suddenly suddenly this evening” in her home in Henderson, Nevada. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and a brother and sister. Funeral services will remain private due to COVID-19 restrictions but a celebration of Wilson’s life will occur later this year.

Wilson splashed onto the music scene in 1959 Detroit as a member of The Primettes, later changing their name to The Supremes. They were one of Motown’s most successful groups in the 1960s, with 12 number one singles, like “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.”

100 CELEBRITIES WHO DIES IN 2020 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW!

“Their influence not only carries on in contemporary R&B, soul and pop, they also helped paved the way for mainstream success by black artists across all genres,” said Schwartz. The Supremes were listed number 16 in a 2018 Billboard’s list, celebrating the 60th anniversary of Motown of “The Hot 100’s Top Artists of All Time.”

Wilson made an impact on others beyond just singing, she was a best selling author, motivational speaker, businesswoman and a U.S. Cultural Ambassador. “Wilson used her fame and flair to promote a diversity of humanitarian efforts including ending hunger, raising HIV/AIDS awareness and encouraging world peace,” said Schwartz.

She also fought to pass the Music Modernization Act (MMA) in 2018 that sought to modernize copyright related issues for new music and to protect music recorded before February 15, 1972.