Mary Wilson, Supremes Co-Founder, Dies Suddenly at 76

Mary Wilson was an R&B singer best known as a founding member of The Supremes, Motown’s flagship group during the 1960s. The trio released twelve No. 1 hits, including Baby Love, and helped shape the sound of a generation.

She married Pedro Ferrer in 1974, and although they divorced in 1981, they had three children together: Turkessa, Pedro Antonio Jr., and Rafael.

How did Mary Wilson die?

On February 8, 2021, Wilson died in her sleep from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at her home in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas, at the age of 76.

Diana Ross, who sang alongside Mary Wilson as the lead vocalist of The Supremes, shared her grief on Twitter shortly after the news broke. “I just woke up to this news,” she wrote. “My condolences to you Mary’s family. I am reminded that each day is a gift.” Reflecting on their years together, Ross added, “I have so many wonderful memories of our time together. The Supremes will live on in our hearts.”

On March 16, 2021, Wilson was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, with her final resting place beside her son Rafael.