Motown legend Marvin Gaye's wife Janis Hunter Gaye dies at 66, read details

Janise Hunter Gaye, the late Motown legend's second wife, died on Saturday at her home in Rhode Island. Her family acknowledged the news, but no cause of death was given.

'From the moment she met my father, she was exposed to the way he believed this world was suffering, and she tried her best to maintain his legacy as he was taken from us much too soon’, said Hunter Gaye's daughter Nona in a statement.

Producer Ed Townsend introduced Hunter Gaye to Marvin at a 1973 recording session at Hitsville West in Los Angeles for his album Let's Get It On, which was released that year. Gaye was married at the time. The couple married in 1977 and divorced in 1981. Three years later, he died in Los Angeles after being shot by his father.


Hunter Gaye was the daughter of Slim Gaillard, a singer-songwriter renowned for classics such as "Flat Foot Floogie (With a Floy Floy)". She also supervised Nona Gaye's career as a singer and actor, with titles including ‘Ali’, ‘Crash’, and two Matrix films.

Hunter Gaye's son Frankie, sister Shawnn, brother Mark, and grandson Nolan survive her. An open event will be announced. Donations may be donated in her name to Arms Around the Child, Breathe With Me Revolution, and/or Fund a Mom.

FAQs:

1. What were Marvin Gaye's last words?
   Marvin Gaye's final statement was, “I got what I wanted, I couldn't do it myself, so I made him do it”.
2. Why was Marvin Gaye killed?
   Gaye was shot twice during an encounter with his father during which he interfered in a dispute between his parents.