Celebrity Biographies
Berry Gordy Biography and Net Worth
Berry Gordy is an American retired record executive and founder of the Motown label
Who is Berry Gordy?
Berry Gordy is an American retired record executive and founder of the Motown label, His ventures, including songwriting and film production, contributed to Motown’s success as a leading African American business.
Bio Data
| Name | Berry Gordy |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | Nov 28, 1929 |
| Age | 93 years old |
| Place of Birth | Detroit |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Record producer, Songwriter, Businessperson, Film Producer, Television producer, Musician, Music executive |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| Net worth | $400 Million |
Berry Gordy Biography
Berry Gordy was born on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, and was the seventh of eight children. He shares a great-grandfather with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a Georgian plantation owner named James Gordy.
Dropping out of high school in 11th grade, Gordy pursued boxing briefly before serving in the Korean War.
Afterward, he opened a jazz record store called 3-D Record Mart and also wrote songs, like the hit “Reet Petite” for Jackie Wilson. With the profits, he transitioned into full-time writing and producing.
Career
Berry Gordy Jr. began his career in music by producing tracks for artists like The Miracles in the late 1950s. In 1959, he launched Tamla Records with an $800 loan, which later merged with Motown. Motown became hugely successful, with revenues of $20 million by 1966.
Gordy expanded into film production in the 1970s, in 1988, he sold Motown for $61 million. His song catalog also fetched significant earnings. Gordy’s net worth now stands at over $400 million. He played a pivotal role in launching the careers of iconic artists like the Supremes and Stevie Wonder.
He received numerous awards, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Award.
Additionally, he was honored with the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in 2016. Gordy also authored an autobiography and produced the successful Broadway musical “Motown: The Musical.”
Net Worth
Berry Gordy, an American music mogul, has an estimated net worth of $400 million. He gained fame as the founder of Motown Records, propelling stars like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, and The Jackson 5.
Personal Life
Berry Gordy Jr. has been married and divorced three times, with a total of eight children. His marriages were to Thelma Louise Coleman, Raynoma Mayberry Liles, and Grace Eaton.
He also has children with Jeana Jackson, Margaret Norton, Diana Ross, and Nancy Leiviska.
FAQs
Q: Who is Berry Gordy?
A: Berry Gordy is a notable American music producer and executive, renowned for establishing Motown Records.
Q: How many times has Berry Gordy been married?
A: Berry Gordy has entered into marriage three times.
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