Supremes singer Mary Wilson dies aged 76 at Las Vegas home

Mary Wilson, who founded the group at 15 and sang hits including River Deep, Mountain High and Baby Love, has died at her Las Vegas home.

Mary Wilson, from The Supremes, has died aged 76. Picture: Mark Ralston / AFP

Motown singer and the Supremes co-founder Mary Wilson has died, US media reported Tuesday. She was 76.

The longest-reigning member founded the US group aged 15 while living in a Detroit housing project, according to Variety, and continued with the band long after lead singer Diana Ross’ departure, eventually going on to be inducted into the 1988 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“Mary Wilson was extremely special to me. She was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed,” said Berry Gordy, founder of Motown records who were behind many of the band’s hits.

She died at her Las Vegas home on February 8, her publicist Jay Schwartz told ET News.

Only two days ago Wilson uploaded a short clip to YouTube celebrating Black history month and announcing: “exciting news about The Supremes, Florence Ballard and unreleased materials.”

RELATED: Question that left Britney horrified

Supremes co-founder and Motown diva Mary Wilson has died at her Las Vegas home. Picture: Mark Ralston / AFP

The circumstances around her death have not been released, her publicist said. Born March 12 1944 in Greenville, Mississippi, Wilson was brought up by her aunt and uncle, before moving to Detroit with her mother when she was 12.

There she began singing and with Ballard founded the group that would eventually become known as the Supremes.

Mary Wilson along with Florence Ballard and Diana Ross changed the game permanently. Hit after hit after hit, on regular rotation to this day. A Supreme Titan may have left us but that legacy will never be surpassed. Rest in power #MaryWilson ❤️ https://t.co/q54gUFLmcl pic.twitter.com/li8ndoy7yx

— Beverley Knight💙 (@Beverleyknight) February 9, 2021

So sad about Mary Wilson.

My favourite Supreme, and the only constant 1959-77. Seldom the lead vocalist, though when you saw her live - as I did at Wembley Arena once - you wondered why. And Dreamgirl is a fantastic book.

A rare and wonderful Mary lead:https://t.co/XNo0WqBWvR

— Simon Price (@simon_price01) February 9, 2021

Despite limited early success, the band struck success in the late sixties with hits like Stop! In the Name of Love and Baby Love. Ballard was replaced by Cindy Birdsong in 1967.

But following Ross’s departure in 1970 for a solo career the group never regained its dominance on the US charts, but did enjoy some hits such as River Deep, Mountain High and Stoned Love.

RELATED: Mariah Carey sued by sister

From left: Supremes singers Cindy Birdsong, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson. George Stroud/Getty Images)

Wilson continued to perform in the band — Ross was replaced by Jean Terrell — remaining a constant during the shifting cast of members until the group finally folded in 1977.

In 1988 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Supremes.

Little heard of in the intervening years, she burst back onto the public stage with her 1986 memoir Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme, detailing her time in the band — and her relationship with Ross.

In 1974 she married Pedro Ferrer, but the couple divorced in 1981. She is survived by their two children, daughter Turkessa and son Pedro Antonio Jr., as well as 10 grandchildren.