You know the name Berry Gordy, right? The man who built Motown from the ground up and turned it into a powerhouse of music. But what you might not know is that his family tree reads like a who's who of the entertainment industry. Berry didn’t just create hits; he created a dynasty. His eight kids and countless grandkids have carried the torch of talent through the generations, proving that creativity truly runs in the family.
Berry's Early Days and First Family
Let’s take it back to the beginning. After serving in the Korean War, Berry came home and tied the knot with his first wife, Thelma Louise Coleman, in 1953. Together, they started a family with three beautiful children: Hazel Joy Gordy, Berry Gordy IV, and Terry James Gordy. But life has its twists, and the couple parted ways in 1959. That same year, Berry met and married Raynoma Singleton, and their union brought Kerry Gordy into the world. Unfortunately, this marriage didn’t last either, and they called it quits in 1964. Still, through it all, Berry’s dedication to family—and music—never wavered.
Motown Takes Off: The Golden Era
By 1960, Motown was exploding with talent, thanks to legends like Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, and Marvin Gaye. During this time, Berry and Raynoma worked side by side at the label, even after their divorce. In fact, Berry’s personal life continued to intertwine with his professional journey. He welcomed another daughter, Sherry Gordy, with Jeana Jackson, and son Kennedy William Gordy with Margaret Norton. It was a period of immense growth—for both his family and his career.
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A Star-Crossed Romance with Diana Ross
If you’ve ever wondered how Motown magic really happened, look no further than Berry’s relationship with Diana Ross. From 1965 to 1970, their collaboration turned into something much more personal. And in 1971, Diana gave birth to their daughter, Rhonda Ross. Even as Berry’s star kept rising, he added yet another chapter to his family story in 1975 when he became a father again to Stefan Kendal “Refoo” Gordy with Nancy Leiviska.
The Next Generation: Grandchildren in the Spotlight
Now let’s fast forward to the next generation. Berry’s eldest daughter, Hazel, married none other than Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson 5. Together, they had three kids: Jermaine La Jaune Jackson Jr., Autumn Joi Jackson, and Jaimy Jermaine Jackson. Meanwhile, Berry IV and his wife, Valerie Robeson, gave birth to Sky Blu and Mahogany Lox, both of whom followed in their grandfather’s footsteps by pursuing careers in music. As for Terry? Well, he’s kept a low profile, so we don’t know much about his personal life or whether he has kids of his own.
Continuing the Legacy
And the story doesn’t end there. Kerry Gordy became a dad to Juliet Gordy with his wife, Karen Longley Gordy. Rhonda Ross, always the doting mom, welcomed her son, Raif-Henok Emmanuel Kendrick, with her husband, Rodney Kendrick. And then there’s Sherry, who proudly shares on her website that she too is a mom and now a grandma, though the names of her children remain private.
Ready to dive deeper? Keep scrolling to meet some of Berry’s incredible grandchildren and see how the Gordy legacy lives on today.
From Motown’s earliest days to the modern music scene, the Gordy family continues to leave an indelible mark on the world. Berry may have started it all, but his children and grandchildren are ensuring that his vision will never fade.
