Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson was a founding member of The Supremes, the most successful female group in music history and a cornerstone of the Motown sound that shaped American popular culture. From 1959 until 1977, Wilson was the only member who remained with the group through every era, every lineup change, and every evolution — she was The Supremes, the constant through 12 number-one hits and a legacy that changed what was possible for Black women in popular music.

Born in Greenville, Mississippi, in 1944, Wilson moved to Detroit as a child and grew up in the Brewster-Douglass housing projects. She formed The Primettes with Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Betty McGree in 1959 — the group that would become The Supremes. Signed to Motown Records in 1961, they became global superstars with hits like "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love," "Stop! In the Name of Love," and "You Can't Hurry Love." The Supremes broke racial barriers on television, performing on The Ed Sullivan Show more than any other group.

After The Supremes, Wilson became an author, activist, and advocate for artists' rights. Her autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme, revealed the personal costs of fame and the music industry's exploitation of its artists. She fought for legislation protecting performers' royalties and intellectual property. Wilson joined the ancestors in 2021, but her voice, her perseverance, and her fight for the rights of artists who built Motown endure.