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Anna Gordy Gaye

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Entrepreneur

The Resume

    (January 28, 1922-January 31, 2014)
    Born in Milledgeville, Georgia
    Songwriter and record executive
    Sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy
    Married Marvin Gaye (1964-77)
    Founded Anna Records with her sister Gwen and songwriter Billy Davis (1958)
    Distributed Barrett Strong's 'Money (That's What I Want),' the first Motown hit (1959)
    Label absorbed into Motown Records (1961)
    Became head of Artist Development at Motown
    Co-wrote the songs 'What Christmas Means to Me' (recorded by Stevie Wonder), 'Baby I'm for Real' and 'The Bells' (recorded by the Originals) and 'Flying High (In the Friendly Sky),' 'God Is Love' and 'Just to Keep You Satisfied' (recorded by Marvin Gaye)

Why she might be annoying:

    During their wedding reception, she and Marvin got into an argument and she hit him on the head with the heel of her shoe.
    When she was unable to have children, the Gordy family decided to have Marvin knock up her 15-year-old niece, Denise, after which the Gayes adopted the child and in public claimed Anna was the mother.
    After Marvin revealed details about their marriage and divorce on his 'Here My Dear' album, she threatened to sue for invasion of privacy.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Berry Gordy said, 'My sister Anna was the glamour girl of the family. She was beautiful, sexy, playful, lovely.'
    She inspired several of Marvin's early hits, including 'You're a Wonderful One' and 'Pride & Joy.'
    Although he professed to love her, Marvin admitted to also having a mercenary motive for the marriage: 'From a professional point of view, I knew just what I was doing. Marrying a queen might not make me king, but at least I'd have a shot at being prince.'
    After the break-up of his second marriage, she and Marvin reconciled, and she accompanied him to the Grammys when he won for 'Sexual Healing.' (1983)

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 81.82% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 86 Votes: 44.19% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 134 Votes: 48.51% Annoying