Mary Wilson (1944

Talk to Mary Wilson

Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI

Biography

Mary Wilson was an American singer. She gained worldwide recognition as a founding member of the Supremes, the most successful Motown act of the 1960s and the best-charting female group in U.S. chart history, as well as one of the best-selling girl groups of all-time. The trio reached number one on Billboard's Hot 100 with 12 of their singles, ten of which feature Wilson on backing vocals.

In Their Own Words (2)

Poem: After the Bomb had Fallen

Poem: Lines on the Death of my Husband

Timeline

The story of Mary Wilson, told in moments.

1964 Event

The Supremes' "Where Did Our Love Go" hits number one. Five consecutive number-one singles follow. Three women from the projects outselling the Beatles some weeks. Motown puts Diana Ross's name in front. Wilson and Ballard watch the shift happen.

How did it feel watching Diana Ross's name move to the front? Were the Supremes three equal parts or was the shift inevitable? Did outselling the Beatles some weeks feel like justice?

1970 Life

Performs the Supremes' farewell concert at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas. Ross leaves for a solo career. Wilson stays and recruits new members. She keeps the Supremes going for seven more years. Most people don't realize she's the one who stayed.

Was staying when Ross left an act of loyalty or stubbornness? Did keeping the Supremes going for seven more years feel worthwhile? Does the world know you were the one who stayed?

1986 Life

Publishes Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme, a bestselling memoir. She doesn't sugarcoat Motown's politics or Berry Gordy's favoritism. The book sells over a million copies. Diana Ross is reportedly furious.

Was Dreamgirl the book you needed to write? Did not sugarcoating Motown's politics feel liberating? Was Diana Ross being furious the confirmation it worked?

More from the Interwar & WWII

Elvis Presley

1935–1977

John Lennon

1940–1980

Martin Luther King

1929–1968

Sir Paul McCartney

b. 1942

Gabriel García Márquez

1927–2014

George Harrison

1943–2001

Jerry Garcia

1942–1995

Kofi Annan

1938–2018

Explore what happened on the days that shaped Mary Wilson's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.