Berry Gordy Net Worth as the Founder of Motown Records

Berry Gordy is an American record executive producer, songwriter, film and television producer. His contribution to the entertainment industry, especially in music with Motown Records, is undeniable. 

He has experienced many career transitions in his life, but his success comes from music. He launched many iconic artists and revolutionised music through generations. He broke the clutches of society and paved the way for the civil rights of African Americans. 

This information has intrigued you and made you want to know What is Berry Gordy Net Worth. Let us not waste any minute and read the guide to explore Berry Gordy Net Worth, his career journey of establishing Motown Records, and his personal life. 

Berry Gordy Net Worth

Berry Gordy's net worth is estimated at $400 million. His net worth comes from many sources as he transitioned from one career to the other. From boxing to an army man and then stepping into the entertainment industry brought him his fortune. 

He established his name as one of the great record executives and producers when he founded Motown Records. He also ventured into songwriting and producing films and TV shows. With all these business moves, he has amassed a substantial net worth. 

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Berry Gordy Young: A Glance into his Early Life

Berry Gordy III, or Berry Gordy Jr. (professional name), was born on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. Berry Gordy Siblings were seven, and he was the seventh among them. Berry Gordy dropped out of college to pursue a career in boxing until 1950. Later on, he joined the Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. 

He returned from the Army and found himself passionate about music, so he started writing songs. He opened a record store called 3-D Record Mart that sold jazz albums. In 1957, Gordy co-wrote a song Reet Petite and Jackie Wilson recorded. Little did he know, the song was a major breakthrough in his career. 

Berry Gordy Motown Record Corporation

Berry Gordy met Smokey Robinson, who was leading The Miracles (known as the Matadors). Smokey encouraged him to move forward in his passion for music. Gordy took $800 from his family and took a step toward launching an R&B Labels named Tamla Records. 

With Tamla Records, he released a successful track “Come to Me.” Later he founded Motown Records. In 1960 Motown Records and Tamla Recods merged into one company, Motown Records Corporation. 

Motown Records Corporation worked in artist development and music production. He made careers of megastars like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, the Pips, The Jackson 5 and the list goes on. 

Motown records gave birth to Berry Gordy and Michael Jackson bond. Berry has a keen eye for artistic talent and he signed Michael Jackson to his corporation and still today Michael Jackson is a sensation.

Motown Records blended soul, pop, and R&B, creating a musical style that appealed to a wide audience. Berry Gordy worked for African American artists but also provided a career stream to white men. He truly broke down racial barriers.

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Berry Gordy Movies

Gordy has always been a part of the entertainment industry. Alongside his artist development and song production, he ventured into producing and directing films, and he became successful in his businesses. 

He produced four films, out of which one he directed, and in another movie, he was a music supervisor. Let us have a look at his famous films, which are mentioned below: 

• Lady Sings the Blues
• Mahogany
• The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings
• The Last Dragon 

Berry Gordy Awards

Berry Gordy has a massive collection of awards and accolades. A few of them are listed below:

• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 
• CBC Lifetime Achievement Award
• Inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in (1998)
• Inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame (2009)
• First Individual to receive Songwriters Hall of Fame's Pioneer Award (2013)
• Received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama
• Received the Kennedy Center Honors
• Awarded with an honorary doctorate from the University of Michigan

Berry Gordy Personal Life

Berry Gordy's personal life is not as successful as his career. He had a bad fortune in marriages. He married and divorced thrice. Talking about Berry Gordy Children, he has eight children from six different women. 

His first marriage with Thelma Coleman, lasted from 1953 to 1959. He has three children (two sons and a daughter) from his first wife. He has a son with his second wife, Raynoma Mayberry Liles, with whom he separated in 1964. In 1990, he tied the knot with Grace Eaton but parted ways in 1993. 

Gordy has a daughter with Jeana Jackson, a son with Margaret Norton (who was his mistress at the time), a daughter with singer Diana Ross, and a son with Nancy Leiviska.

What do you know about Diana Ross and Berry Gordy relationship? Diana Ross was signed to Motown Corporation by Berry Gordy. As she rose to success, she got into a romantic relationship with Berry Gordy, which lasted from 1965 to 1970 and resulted in a child. Their daughter, Rhonda Ross, was born in 1971. 

His personal life is incomplete without discussing Berry Gordy House. Motown Mansion, located in Detroit, was once under the ownership of Berry Gordy, where he lived for 40 years. His current Bel Air residence has three contiguous parcels that create a 4 acre compound. His Bel Air residence worth $50-70 million is one of the prized possessions of real estate. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you know about Berry Gordy Daughter

Berry Gordy has three daughters. One is from his first wife, and two were born as a result of his relationships with other women. 

Where is Berry Gordy Now?

There are no updates and recent news about Berry Gordy whereabouts and current happenings in his life. 

Who is Berry Gordy and Diana Ross Son?

Berry Gordy has an intimate relationship with Motown-signed singer Diana Ross. Their relationship lasted from 1965 to 1970 and resulted in a child. Gordy and Diana have a daughter, not a son. Rhonda Ross is now an actress and a singer.