Mary Wilson will probably go down as one of the finest songstress of the 20th century. The longest-serving and original member of The Supremes is also a part-time actress and author.
Early Accomplishments
She performed at her high school talent shows where she met Florence Ballard who convinced her to audition for The Primettes when she was 15.
In 1961, she became a member of The Primettes (now known as The Supremes) together with Ballard, Betty McGlown and Diana Ross after recording debut song, Tears of Sorrow in 1960.
Best Known For
With The Supremes, she has recorded 12 No. 1 Billboard hits such as Where Did Our Love Go, Floy Joy and Stoned Love.
Her solo career has seen her record 3 albums with hits like Red Hot in 1979 and Time to Love On in 2015.
She has also written books but 1990’s Supreme Faith: Someday We’ll Be Together and1986’s Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme were bestsellers for multiple weeks.
Sexual Orientation
Mary is straight. Her 1974 marriage to Pedro Ferrer ended on 1981 and she has remained single ever since. Before getting married, she dated Tom Jones for 2 years in 1967.
Family
She is the daughter of Sam and Johnnie Mae Wilson and has younger siblings Roosevelt and Katherine.
She lived with her uncle and aunt, John and Ivory Pippin for a while, growing up.
She mothers 3 children; Turkessa and Pedro Jr. (her last child, Rafael died in an auto crash when he was 16) and adopted her cousin, Willie.
Religion
Mary’s beliefs have not been explicitly stated but it is believed that she could be Christian.
Worth To Know
As a music activist, she is the champion of the Truth in Music Bill, protecting older groups’ names from being used without permission.
She was made a Cultural Ambassador by the US State Department in 2002.
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