Marvin Gaye’s ex-wife dead at 66 – Janis Hunter dies after inspiring Motown legend’s hit album 

Marvin Gaye’s wife Janis Hunter Gaye has passed away at the age of 66, her family have confirmed.

She passed away on Saturday at her home in Rhode Island. A cause of death has not yet been revealed. 

Her daughter Nona Gaye released a statement, in which she called her mother unforgettable and said she worked tirelessly to preserve Marvin’s legacy after his death.

Sad news: Marvin Gaye’s wife Janis Hunter Gaye passed away at the age of 66, her family have confirmed

She said: ‘She was the most influential woman in my life and many others. I believe once you met my mother Jan, she wasn’t a woman you could ever forget.’

She added: ‘Every day she was here it was about the love she felt for her husband, children, grandson, and the friends she met all over the world.’

Nola went on: ‘From the time she met my father, she was exposed to the way he saw this world was aching, and she did her best to preserve his legacy as he was taken from us far too early.

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Tragic: She passed away on Saturday at her home in Rhode Island. A cause of death has not yet been revealed

‘She took every moment to speak about every word and every note of his music, and she wanted to make sure everyone knew the man she fell in love with. 

‘I will never get to see her again in this life but know she’s in heaven with my father and a spokesperson for us in spirit.’

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Janis first met the Motown legend during a 1973 recording session in Los Angeles for his album Let’s Get It On.

Legacy: Her daughter Nona Gaye released a statement, in which she called her mother unforgettable and said she worked tirelessly to preserve Marvin’s legacy after his death

Marvin was 34 at the time and married to Anna Gordy, while Janis, the daughter of jazz musician Slim Gallard, was just 17.

He went on to write the song Jan for her on his 1974 album and his 1976 album I Want You was described by Music writer Michael Eric Dyson as ‘a romantic and erotic tribute’ to her.

Janis even featured on his 1977 track Got To Give It Up, on backing vocals.

First meetings: According to The Hollywood Reporter , Janis first met the Motown legend during a 1973 recording session in Los Angeles for his album Let’s Get It On

They got married that same year and had two children together before their divorce in 1981.

Marvin was killed three years later, after being shot by his father in Los Angeles following an argument.

Janis is survived by her daughter Nona, son Frankie, sister Shawnn, brother Mark and grandson Nolan.

Family: Janis is survived by her daughter Nona, son Frankie, sister Shawnn, brother Mark and grandson Nolan