Berry Gordy is a legendary American retired record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer, and television producer. He founded Motown Records in 1959. Renowned for his work, he established an indelible legacy in the music industry, accumulating a net worth of $400 million. His creative approach to artist development and music production, coupled with his visionary leadership, turned Motown into a powerhouse that launched the careers of legendary artists and defined a generation’s sound.
Berry is a crucial figure in American cultural history due to his influence in philanthropy, film, entrepreneurship, and music. This article will dive into Berry Gordy’s successful financial journey, exploring his age, net worth, salary, career, income source, personal life, and more.
Facts You Don’t Know About Berry Gordon
- Berry Gordon was born on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, United States.
- Berry has a net worth of $400 million.
- He dropped out of Northeastern High School in Detroit, Michigan.
- Berry is the seventh of eight children born to Berry Gordy II (also known as Berry Gordy Sr.) and Bertha Fuller Gordy.
Berry’s Net Worth and Salary
Berry Gordy’s net worth is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his career. His career has paid off, earning him millions and awards. As of 2024, Berry has a net worth of $400 million, which is expected to increase as he continues to give the world the best. Beery earned fortune and fame as the founder and president of Motown Records and for being behind the careers of megastars like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and The Jackson 5.
Beery’s legacy is measured by his financial success and impact on music, culture, and society. His commitment to giving back to the community is demonstrated by his philanthropic endeavors, which include initiatives to empower young artists and support for several charitable organizations. In addition to his contributions to civil rights and cultural language, Berry’s impact on music highlights his status as a visionary leader and philanthropist.
Early Life and Education
Berry Gordy III, the seventh of eight children born to Berry Gordy II (also known as Berry Gordy Sr.) and Bertha Fuller Gordy, was welcomed into the world on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. According to his birthday, he was born under the Sagittarius astrological sign. He is an American national, was raised Christian, and has black ancestry. His siblings are Fuller, Esther, Anna, Loucye, George, Gwen, Berry, and Robert). Berry and Jimmy Carter, former U.S. President, share the same great-grandfather, the Georgian plantation owner James Gordy. His father was born James Gordy, an enslaved woman on his plantation.
Berry dropped out of school in eleventh grade to become a professional boxer, hoping to become rich quickly. He boxed until 1951, when the United States Army drafted him for service in the Korean War. After being discharged from service, Berry developed an interest in music by writing songs and went on to open a record store called 3-D Record Mart. However, the store was unsuccessful. Berry plans to work at the Lincoln-Mercury plant, but his family links put him in touch with Al Green.
In 1957, he recorded “Reed Petite,” which he co-wrote with his sister Gwen and writer-producer Billy Davis. His song became his modest hit and had international success, debuting in the Top 10 on the U.K. Chart and later topping the chart on re-issue in 1986. Using the income earned from Reet Petite, Berry began writing and producing full-time.
Quick Biography
| Berry Gordy ’s Quick Biography | Answers |
| Birthday | December 12, 1997 |
| Full Name | Berry Gordy III |
| Hometown | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Lives In | United States of America |
| Net Worth | $400 million |
| Horoscope/Birth Sign | Sagittarius |
| Age | 97 years old |
| Stage Name | Berry Gordy |
| Profession | Record Executive, Record Producer, Songwriter, Film Producer, and Television Producer |
| Father’s Name | Berry Gordy II |
| Mother’s Name | Bertha Fuller Gordy |
| Number of Children | 8 |
| Children’s Name | N/A |
| Husband/Boyfriend | Juan de Dios Pantoja |
| Wife/Girlfriend | N/A |
| Birth Year | 1947 |
| Trivia | Father, with Diana Ross, of Rhonda Ross Kendrick He sold Motown Records to MCA for $61 million in 1988. |
| Facebook Handle | Berry Gordy Jr |
| YouTube Handle | Berry Gordy |
| Twitter/X Handle | @berrygordy1 |
| Instagram Handle | berrygordyjr |
| Snapchat Handle | N/A |
| Height | N/A |
| Body Measurements | N/A |
| Feet/Shoe Size | N/A |
| Color of Eye | Grey |
| Movies Starred | N/A |
| References | Wikipedia |
Career
Motown
Between 1957 and 1959, Berry Gordon produced tracks and albums for several up-and-coming artists, including The Miracles (known initially as the Matadors), led by a young musician named Smokey Robinson. Smokey inspired Berry to follow his dreams because he was a good man. Berry established Tamla Records, an R&B label, in 1959 with an $800 loan from his family. The successful song “Come to Me” by Marv Johnson was Tamla’s debut release. Released under Berry’s second label, Motown, that same year, “Bad Girl” by The Miracles was also a hit song. He formed the Motown Record Corporation in late 1959 after combining Tamla and Motown.
Motown employed 450 employees and made $20 million (or $144 million in today’s dollars) in revenue by 1966. One of the most successful independent record labels in history, Motown rose to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s. After relocating to Atlantis in 1972, Berry produced several successful motion pictures, including the martial arts picture “The Last Dragon” (1985), the 1972 film “Lady Sings the Blues,” which starred Diana Ross, and the 1975 film “Mahogany,” which he also directed. In 1988, Berry sold his stake in Motown to MCA Records for $61 million. He also sold his share in the Motown song catalog, which his assistant, Jobete Publishing, controlled, to EMI Publishing. Of the fifteen thousand songs in the catalog, 240 were written by him. Polygram paid $330 million a few years later for all the Motown songs in the catalog.
Not only did he write many hit songs for well-known acts like The Jackson 5, but he is also credited with launching the careers of influential artists like the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops, the Temptations, and Stevie Wonder. In 1988, Berry was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to recognize his contributions to the music industry. The Songwriters Hall of Fame gave him the Pioneer Award in 2013, making him the first living recipient of that honor. President Obama also awarded him the National Medal of Arts in 2016, another noteworthy honor.
Other Ventures
Beyond his monumental achievements in music, Berry embarked on television and film, further expanding the Motown brand. He also dedicates his time and effort to several other projects. In 1994, Berry published an autobiography, “To Be Loved.” In 2011, he started working on developing a Broadway musical about Motown. From April 2013 to January 2015, he ran “Motown: The Musical,” at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The UK’s version opened in the West End in January 2016.
Awards and Recognitions
In recognition of his remarkable work in the music industry, Beery has received several accolades. In 1988, he was installed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He received the CBC Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993. Among his inductions are the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1998, the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2009, and the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.
On June 13, 2013, Berry received the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Award, making him the first living individual to receive the honor. In 2016, Berry received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama for “helping to create a trailblazing new sound in American music. 2021 saw him receive the Kennedy Center Honors alongside Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Justino Díaz, and Lorne Michaels.
Personal Life
Berry Gordy is a man of dignity who spends memorable time with his family. In his personal life, Berry has been married and divorced three times and has eight children. Berry married his first wife, Thelma Louise Coleman, in Toledo, Ohio, in 1953 after returning from deployment in the Korean War. Six years later, they divorced in 1959. Together, Gordy and Coleman share three children.
He again married his second wife, Raynoma Mayberry Liles, from 1960 to 1964. Together, they have one son. In 1990, Berry married his third wife, Grace Eaton, and they split up in 1993. Berry also shares a daughter with Jeana Jackson, a son with Margaret Norton, a daughter with singer Diana Ross, and a son with Nancy Leiviska.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Berry Gordy?
As of 2024, Berry Gordy is 95 years old.
What is Berry Gordy’s net worth?
Berry has a net worth of $400 million.
Where was Berry Gordy born?
He was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States.
What is Berry Gordon famous for?
He is famous for founding Motown Records in 1960.
How many kids does Berry Gordy have?
Berry has eight children.
Who are Berry Gordon’s parents?
He was born to Berry Gordy II and Bertha Fuller Gordy.
