| Marvin Gaye Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft |
| Weight | 78 kg |
| Date of Birth | April 2, 1939 |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Date of Death | April 1, 1984 |
Marvin Gaye was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who is credited as the “Prince of Motown” and “Prince of Soul”. He is known for his contributions to the sound of Motown in the 1960s and his discography includes multiple albums like The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye, When I’m Alone I Cry, How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You, That Stubborn Kinda Fellow, Trouble Man, A Tribute to the Great Nat “King” Cole, I Heard It Through the Grapevine a.k.a. In the Groove, That’s the Way Love Is, Midnight Love, Hello Broadway, Moods of Marvin Gaye, What’s Going On, In Our Lifetime, I Want You, Let’s Get It On, M.P.G., and Here, My Dear. Marvin Gaye was posthumously inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Born Name
Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.
Other Names
Marvin Gaye, The Prince of Soul, The Prince of Motown
Age
He was born on April 2, 1939.
Died
On April 1, 1984, he died after his father shot him twice following a physical altercation between the two in Los Angeles, California, United States. He was 44 at the time and just one day short of his 45th birthday.
Sun Sign
Aries
Born Place
Freedman’s Hospital, Washington, D.C., United States
Nationality
Education
Marvin Gaye studied at Syphax Elementary School, Randall Junior High School, Spingarn High School, and Cardozo High School.
He dropped out of high school when he was 17 years old.
Occupation
Singer, Songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist
Family
- Father – Marvin Gay Sr. (Church Minister)
- Mother – Alberta Gay (née Cooper) (Domestic Worker)
- Siblings – Jeanne (Sister), Zeola (Sister), Frankie Gaye (Younger Brother), Michael Cooper (Older Maternal Half-Brother), Antwaun Carey Gay (Paternal Half-Brother)
- Others – George Gay (Paternal Grandfather), Marnie/Mamie Mae Watkins (Paternal Grandmother), Sam or John Cooper (Maternal Grandfather), Ruth or Lucy Smith (Maternal Grandmother), Christy (Niece), Denise (Niece), April (Niece), Fiona (Niece), Frankie, Jr. (Nephew)
Genre
R&B, Soul, Psychedelic Soul, Gospel, Funk, Jazz, Progressive Soul
Instruments
Vocals, Keyboards, Drums
Labels
Tamla, Tamla-Motown, Columbia Records
Net Worth
According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, his net worth was -$9 Million at the time of his death.
Build
Average
Height
6 ft or 183 cm
Weight
78 kg or 172 lbs
Girlfriend / Boyfriend / Spouse
Marvin Gaye had dated –
- Tammi Terrell – RUMOR
- Marlon Brando – Marvin Gaye reportedly had a fling with actor Marlon Brando.
- Anna Gordy (1963-1973) – In June 1963, he married songwriter Anna Gordy but they separated in 1973. In November 1975, Anna filed for divorce which was finalized in 1977.
- Janis Hunter (1977-1979) – Gaye got married to Janis Hunter in October 1977 and they separated in 1979. They officially divorced in February 1981.
Note – He had 3 children – Marvin III, Nona, and Frankie. Marvin III was the biological son of Anna’s niece while Nona and Frankie were born to Gaye’s 2nd wife.
Race / Ethnicity
Black
He was of African-American descent.
Hair Color
Black
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Disputed
Distinctive Features
Tenor voice range
Brand Endorsements
His song A Funky Space Reincarnation was used in a TV commercial for Christian Dior in 2006.
In 2012, his song Let’s Get It On was used in a TV commercial for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Religion
He was raised in a Pentecostalism household.
Marvin Gaye Facts
- After dropping out of high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a basic airman.
- He was friends with Diana Ross.
- Marvin Gaye’s body was cremated at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills and his ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean.
- On September 27, 1990, he was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1500 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
- His name has been used as the title of several hit songs like Big Sean‘s Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay and Charlie Puth‘s debut hit Marvin Gaye (ft. Meghan Trainor).
Featured Image by Jim Britt / Motown Records / Public Domain
