Mary Wilson, longest-reigning original Supreme, dies at 76

In 1959, before they were the Supremes, four Detroit high school girls became the Primettes: From left, Betty McGlown, Mary Wilson, Diane (not Diana yet) Ross and Florence Ballard. The Primettes were formed as a sister group to The Primes, who would later become The Temptations.

The Supremes perform in London on Oct. 8, 1964, after "Where Did Our Love Go" became their first single to go No. 1 on the charts. This was before adopting their ultraglamorous look favoring full-length sequined gowns. From left are Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross.

Diana Ross, left, and fellow Supremes Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard were one of Motown's signature acts, recording 12 No. 1 hits between 1964 and 1969. Many of the songs were written and produced by Motown's premier songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland.

In 1967, Cindy Birdsong, left, started to stand in for Florence Ballard when she missed performances due to alcoholism. She's seen with Diana Ross and Mary Wilson on Jan. 22, 1968. By this time, she was a permanent member of The Supremes.

Berry Gordy Jr. listens as The Supremes lay down a track during a January 1965 recording session at Motown Records' Studio A, 2648 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit, Michigan. Left to right are Berry Gordy Jr., Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. A copy of this photo is mounted on the wall of Studio A today for visitors to the Motown Museum to see.

The Supremes are shown shopping on Oxford Street during their 1964 visit to London. From left: Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross. Beginning that year with "Where Did Our Love Go?" the Supremes produced a phenomenal string of 10 No. 1 hits.

Mary Wilson shares a laugh with Esther Edwards, the sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy, Oct. 20, 1989.

Mary Wilson of The Supremes, center, with Mike Love of the Beach Boys and Muhammad Ali at the Third Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction Dinner in New York, 1988.

Most people think of the Supremes as a trio, but the group started out with not only Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson, but their school friend Barbara Martin (seated) as well. Martin left the group right before their biggest success in the early '60s.

Mary Wilson of the Supremes in "Tiger Town."

The Supremes visited London for their first time, on a promotional visit arranged by EMI, in October 1964. From left, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross.

The Supremes with Diana Ross, front, Cindy Birdsong and Mary Wilson throw their arms in the air as they perform in Munich, West Germany, Jan. 21, 1968.

The Supremes returned to London in 1965. Above, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Diana Ross arrive at London's Heathrow Airport.

Motown artists often promoted other products in the 1960s. In this photo taken in April 1966, the Supremes, from left, Florence Ballard, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson, pose with "Supremes Bread," made by Detroit-based Schaefer Bakeries.

Mary Wilson touring the Motown Museum, October 1989.

Mary Wilson touring the Motown Museum, October 1989.

Mary Wilson of the Supremes in Detroit Monday, Oct. 27, 1986, to promote her book 'Dreamgirls: My Life As A Supreme'. Photo by

In this Aug. 19, 1966 file photo, members of The Supremes are shown. Diana Ross, lead singer, is on top of the slide, Mary Wilson, hangs on the ladder, right and Florence Ballard, stands under the slide.

Mary Wilson, a former member of The Supremes, sings the national anthem before a Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals opening day game in Detroit in April 2019.

Mary Wilson performs at the Catalina Bar and Grill on September 2, 2010 in Hollywood, California.

Former Supreme Mary Wilson sits at the piano in Berry Gordy's former apartment above the Motown Museum during a PBS taping of an upcoming program Monday, May 4, 2009.

In this March 11, 1994 file photo, Mary Wilson, former member of The Supremes, poses at the dedication of the 2,026th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoring The Supremes in Hollywood, Calif. Wilson, the longest-reigning original Supreme, has died at 76 years old. Publicist Jay Schwartz says Wilson died Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, at her home in Las Vegas and that the cause was not immediately clear.

Former Supreme Mary Wilson reflects while in Berry Gordy's former apartment above the Motown Museum during a PBS taping of an upcoming program Monday, May 4, 2009.

Mary Wilson of the Supremes films at Tiger Stadium during the "Tiger Town" shoot in summer 1983.

Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Smokie Robinson, Berry Gordy Jr., Diana Ross and Mary Wilson attend the Broadway opening night curtain call on stage for "Motown: The Musical" at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 14, 2013 in New York City.

Former Supreme Mary Wilson is one of 12 celebrities competing on Season 28 of ABC's "Dancing With the Star." She made her debut with pro Brandon Armstrong.

R&B legend Mary Wilson performs at her Original Supreme Children Uniting Nations Benefit Concert on Dec. 16, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. Wilson remained with the Supremes after Florence Ballard left in 1967, followed by Diana Ross in 1970, before becoming a solo artist, author and activist. The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

Mary Wilson of the Supremes sings the national anthem.

The Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals break for the dugout after Mary Wilson of the Supremes sings the National Anthem.

Dionne Warwick, left, Mary Wilson at the R&B Hall of Fame in Dearborn.