Not a day goes by when Marvin Gaye's velvety vocals are not heard on the radio. Despite his tragic death nearly 40 years ago, the soul singer is fondly remembered for his musical hits, which are still loved by millions.
Last week, fans celebrated a tribute act, Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul at the BBC Proms, which featured music spanning soul, Motown, gospel, R&B and funk, all of which the music legend was famous for.
When he died in 1984, just a day before his 45th birthday, the artist left behind not only a legendary musical legacy but also three children: Marvin Gaye III, Nona Aisha Gaye, and Frankie Christian Gaye. The Let's Get It On singer became a father with his first wife, Anna Gordy, whom he married between 1963 and 1977. They adopted Marvin III in the late 1960s.
After their divorce, he remarried Janis Hunter in 1977, and the pair welcomed Nona in 1974 and Frankie in 1975. They divorced seven years later.Much to the grief of his children and fans, Marvin was shot and killed by his father during an argument in 1984.
© Getty ImagesSince his passing, all three of his children have worked to protect and defend his legacy, despite their varying degrees of closeness to the musician. Here's everything you need to know about his three children.
Marvin Gaye III
With both his parents working in music, Marvin grew up closely surrounded by the industry, even having a music studio in his house. While he kept out of the spotlight for much of his life, he became a well-known figure in 2013 when his family's estate sued Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams over their song Blurred Lines, which the family claimed was extremely similar to their father's tune Got to Give It Up.
He said at the time that he just wanted to "see my father get credit for his work". He also revealed he was suffering from health issues, including needing a new kidney for his diabetes. The publicity from the case not only won the family $5 million but also helped him find a kidney donor.
© Getty ImagesHe married Wendy Gaye in 2010 and later divorced in 2024. Around that time, Marvin was sued for assault, battery, and false imprisonment. Responding to the lawsuit, he said, "No way did that happen. It’s all bulls---. I wouldn’t do that. These are false claims."
He also embarked on a musical career, releasing an EDM song called "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," featuring his then-wife. Their relationship reached a breaking point in 2023 after an alleged physical altercation with his wife and her cousin. Some reports suggest that Marvin has two sons from previous relationships. Marvin Gaye IV, born in 1995, and Dylan Gaye, born in 2000.
Nona Aisha Gaye
© WireImageMarvin and Anna welcomed Nona in 1974, though she was just nine-years-old when her father tragically died. In the years that followed, she learned about her father from her mother and by listening to his music.
"I didn’t understand the work; I was too young," she said. It was only once she got a bit older that she realise "how troubled he was about the way the world was". Once she was old enough to realise, it brought out an emotional side of her.Inspired by his work, she followed in her father's footsteps and entered the music industry. She released her debut album, Love for the Future, in 1992 at the age of 18.
Frankie Christian Gaye
Frankie Christian was born in 1975 and was named after Marvin's brother, who was also a musician. While he mostly keeps himself out of the spotlight, he was involved in the family lawsuit against Blurred Lines in 2013.
