Fans worldwide are mourning Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Supremes, who died at her home aged 76.
Bandmate Diana Ross was one of the first names to pay tribute to the star. And now more celebrities are expressing their sorrow at the loss of the Motown legend.
Their words below…
I am deeply saddened by the passing of the beautiful Mary Wilson! She was a legend and an icon and what she contributed to the world cannot be overstated. I send my deepest condolences and prayers to her family, loved ones and fans. ❤ pic.twitter.com/NBNZ6d8qmO
— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) February 9, 2021
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A true legend. Rest in Peace Mary Wilson 🙏🏾❤️
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) February 9, 2021
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Mary Wilson, co-founder of the groundbreaking @Motown group #TheSupremes has passed at 76.
For every young girl (and some boys) who sang along to a Supremes’ song in the mirror with a hairbrush, this one hits home. Truly iconic! 🙏🏾 https://t.co/kv1qxI4wIl #MaryWilson— Sherri Shepherd (@sherrieshepherd) February 9, 2021
Thank you Ms Mary Wilson for showing us all how to be Supreme. pic.twitter.com/MipmhQaTr4
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) February 9, 2021
Rest in power, #MaryWilson.
Thank you. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/n8eam1mhGn
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) February 9, 2021
I’m at a total loss for words. Mary Wilson was a trailblazer and an icon. She was also one of my dearest friends. pic.twitter.com/7NIMpsv2a5
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) February 9, 2021
Mary Wilson brought so much love to @TamronHallShow and to her fans when she stopped by the studio. I’m grateful for this moment because it captures how she lived her life ..Supreme Joy. pic.twitter.com/QXdPVdF0lY
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) February 9, 2021
My mom LOVED Motown. I was raised on the Supremes. I knew every song by ❤️even the B-sides. Ms. @DianaRoss, Ms. #MaryWilson #MsFlorenceBallard & #MsCindyBirdsong were the soundtrack of my childhood.
Meeting her was a life highlight. I can’t believe that our icons are leaving.💔 pic.twitter.com/mnHU0QL3Ex
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) February 9, 2021
Rest In Peace, Mary 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/YeHgj44N7U
— Holly Robinson Peete😷🥰 (@hollyrpeete) February 9, 2021
This is so hard to believe. She paved the way for so many like myself. I am grateful to have had the chance to know and work with her. Style, grace, talent was and is #MaryWilson. Thank you for everything you gave this industry. Rest well Queen🙏🏾🙏🏾🌹🌹💐💐🕊🕊 #Motown pic.twitter.com/1yyvk8dskr
— Stephanie Mills (@PrettyMill1) February 9, 2021
What an blessing to have had the Supreme Mary Wilson on #thereal.. I was over the moon to meet her, she grew up in the same Detroit Projects as I and she showed me that I could make it out. Talented and beautiful.. She will be missed. RIP pic.twitter.com/7Bb3o3Xn8b
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) February 9, 2021
♥️
Diana is about to announce a world tour
Her real legacy is not as a member of THe SUpremes but as a fighter to ensure that artists retain their rights to their group’s names and to allow the respective artists to receive appropriate reconiztion and royalties.
In these respects, she was independant of The Supremes and she contributed proportionally. Ross has never done it but as WIlson said at Ballard’s funeral: “Blondie I will take care of it.” And, she did and for that, alone, she was Supreme.
I accord her her place and she helped me get through my brother’s death in Vietnam in 1967. It was The Supremes’ Music which soothed the grieving beast…within!