Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mary Wilson’s Net Worth?
At the time of her death in February 2021, Mary Wilson, the iconic American singer and founding member of The Supremes, had a net worth of $4 million. This valuation reflects a career spanning decades in the music industry, supplemented by other ventures such as writing and real estate investments. While specific breakdowns of her income streams are not publicly detailed, it’s understood that her net worth accumulated through a combination of royalties, performance fees, book sales, and property holdings.
The Supremes and Musical Career
Mary Wilson’s primary source of wealth was undoubtedly her enduring legacy with The Supremes. The group’s formation dates back to the late 1950s when Wilson, along with Florence Ballard, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown, were assembled by record producer Milton Jenkins to form The Primettes, a sister group to his existing band, The Primes. In 1961, the group signed with Motown Records and officially became The Supremes. During their 18-year run, The Supremes achieved unparalleled success, releasing 33 Top 40 hits and securing 12 #1 singles on the Billboard charts. Memorable hits like “Baby Love,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love” cemented their status as one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. While specific royalty rates and earnings per song are not publicly available, The Supremes’ extensive catalog and continued popularity generated substantial income for Wilson throughout her career. Although the group’s name was changed to “Diana Ross and the Supremes” in 1967, and Diana Ross eventually left in 1970, Mary Wilson remained a constant presence, the only member who stayed throughout all the many line up changes in the group’s history. After the group officially disbanded in 1977, she embarked on a solo career, although this part of her career did not attain the commercial success she had achieved with The Supremes.
Mary Wilson contributed significantly to the group’s image and style, actively collaborating with their choreographer and providing creative input for their performances. Her stage presence, elegance, and overall sophistication helped define The Supremes’ brand and appeal, although quantifying the direct financial impact of these contributions is not feasible.
Post-Supremes Career and Ventures
Following The Supremes’ disbandment in 1977, Wilson pursued a solo career, releasing several disco albums and venturing into musical theater. While the financial success of her solo musical endeavors isn’t extensively documented, it contributed to her overall income. In the mid-1980s, Wilson penned “Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme,” a tell-all book that became a bestseller. Though specific sales figures and royalty earnings from the book are not publicly disclosed, its success generated a significant income stream for Wilson. In 2007, she released a jazz album titled “Up Close: Live from San Francisco,” further diversifying her musical portfolio and income sources. Additionally, Wilson dedicated herself to charitable work, collaborating with organizations such as UNICEF and the NAACP, although these activities were philanthropic and did not directly contribute to her net worth.
In 1999/2000, an attempted Supremes reunion fell apart due to disagreements over compensation. Diana Ross was reportedly offered $15-20 million for the tour, while Wilson was initially offered $1 million. After negotiations, Wilson’s compensation was increased to $4 million, with Diana Ross reportedly contributing $2 million of her own funds. However, Diana Ross retained full creative control and stipulated that Wilson’s pay would not be subject to increases based on ticket sales. Ultimately, the reunion tour was cancelled due to disappointing ticket sales, resulting in a lost income opportunity for Wilson, although she still received the $4 million that was promised.
Real Estate Holdings
Mary Wilson invested in real estate, purchasing a 7,000-square-foot home in a gated country club community in Henderson, Nevada, in 2002 for $904,000. While the specific address and name of the community are not explicitly stated in the public record, this property represented a significant asset within her overall net worth. She attempted to sell the home in 2014 for $1.3 million, but ultimately retained ownership until her death in February 2021. The property’s value at the time of her death would have contributed to her total net worth calculation. It’s also possible, but not confirmed in the provided information, that she owned other real estate assets that contributed to her overall financial picture.
