News

Actions

Mary Wilson of The Supremes has died at age 76

Mary Wilson Portrait Session
Posted at 2:16 AM, Feb 09, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-09 18:44:31-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Motown legend Mary Wilson of The Supremes died at her home in Las Vegas on Feb. 8 at the age of 76.

Wilson was a founding member of The Supremes.

The group became one of the most successful groups in Motown during the '60s

Wilson was also a frequent visitor to 13 Action News and was interviewed several times over the years.

Two days ago, Wilson posted a video to her YouTube channel, saying that she had been in talks with Universal Music to release an album she recorded in the 1970s and some new material.

Wilson, who appeared to be in great spirits in the video, also talked about Black History Month.

Wilson appeared in the 28th season of "Dancing With the Stars" in 2019 and released her fourth book titled "Supreme Glamour."

Wilson first performed in Las Vegas as part of Diana Ross & The Supremes at the Flamingo Hotel in 1967. The group gave its final performance at the Frontier hotel-casino on Jan. 14, 1970. After that performance, Diana Ross was replaced and the group was rebranded as The Supremes.

The Supremes disbanded in 1977 after the departure of Wilson. The group was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

Wilson became a frequent guest on several TV shows, including talk shows, and continued to perform in Las Vegas casinos and resorts.

She released the album titled "Walk the Line" in 1992 and became a lobbyist for the "Truth in Music" legislation after losing two court battles involving usage of The Supremes name.

In 2006, a live concert DVD titled "Mary Wilson Live at the Sands" was released and four years later, a similar DVD, "Mary Wilson: Live from San Francisco... Up Close," was released.

Additionally, Wilson toured and lectured internationally. Her lecture series, "Dare to Dream," focused on triumph over adversity and reaching goals.

Wilson was known for her charity work and frequently donated to Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the American Cancer Society, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the Easter Seals Foundation and many others.

Wilson married Pedro Ferrer in Las Vegas on May 11, 1974. They had three children. Wilson also adopted her cousin, Wilie. Ferrer died in a crash on Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas in January 1994.

Wilson lived in the master-planned community of Anthem in Henderson. Her cause of death is unknown at this time.