Mary Wilson – a co-founding member of The Supremes – has died aged 76.
She died at her home in Las Vegas.
There was no confirmed cause of her “sudden death”.
Motown founder Berry Gordy said he was “extremely shocked and saddened” at the news.
He added: “The Supremes were always known as the ‘sweethearts of Motown’.
“Mary, along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, came to Motown in the early 1960s.
“After an unprecedented string of number one hits, television and nightclub bookings, they opened doors for themselves, the other Motown acts, and many, many others.
“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.”
Her family said there will be a private funeral followed by a public memorial later in the year – Covid-19 allowing.
Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Diana Ross were signed to Motown in 1963 as The Supremes.
The group became one of the biggest selling of all time with 12 number one hits.
