Berry Gordy Kids - Exploring A Musical Family's Story

When we think about the people who shaped modern music, particularly the sounds that came out of Detroit, one name that surely pops up is Berry Gordy. He's the person who started Motown Records, a truly legendary music company that brought us so many unforgettable tunes. But beyond the famous records and the big stars, there's a whole personal side to his life, a family life, that’s, you know, quite interesting. He is, after all, a father to a good number of children, and their stories are part of his bigger story, too.

It seems family really means a great deal to this music giant. He has built a life that includes eight children and, as a matter of fact, many talented grandchildren. You might have even seen him out and about with some of them, which is pretty neat. This family connection, in a way, shows a different side of the person who gave us so much amazing music, demonstrating how personal ties can be just as important as professional achievements.

So, what do we really know about the Berry Gordy kids? How have their lives unfolded? And what part have they played in the world, especially considering their famous dad? We're going to take a closer look at the people who make up his family, from his own background to the lives of his children and even some of their connections to other well-known folks.

Table of Contents

Berry Gordy - A Life in Music

Berry Gordy III, who many know as Berry Gordy Jr., was born on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. He was, you know, the seventh out of eight children in his own family. His parents, Berry Gordy II and Bertha Fuller Gordy, had made the move to Detroit back in 1922. They came from Georgia, just like many other African Americans in the early 20th century, looking for a better life and, you know, more opportunities for work. His grandfather, Berry Gordy I, it turns out, had some family ties to former US President Jimmy Carter, which is a rather interesting bit of history.

Before he found his true calling in entertainment, Berry Gordy Jr. tried out quite a few different jobs. He spent time as a boxer, he ran a record store, and he even worked on an assembly line. He also served a tour in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. All these experiences, in a way, probably shaped the person he became, before he really found his niche, or his special place, in the music business. His parents, Berry Gordy Sr. and Bertha Fuller Gordy, were very much about instilling strong values in their children, a family of eight themselves. This focus on strong values, you could say, really helped set the stage for their children's future success, including Berry Jr.'s.

Personal Information

Full NameBerry Gordy III (also known as Berry Gordy Jr.)
Date of BirthNovember 28, 1929
Place of BirthDetroit, Michigan, United States
ParentsBerry Gordy II (Berry Gordy Sr.) and Bertha Fuller Gordy
OccupationRetired Record Executive, Record Producer, Songwriter, Film Producer, Television Producer

Who Are the Berry Gordy Kids?

Berry Gordy, the famous founder of Motown, has a pretty big family, as a matter of fact. He is a father to eight children, and their names are Hazel, Berry IV, Terry, Kerry, Sherry, Kennedy, Rhonda, and Stefan. It's quite a group, you know, and each of them has their own story. The family, in some respects, is a reflection of Berry Gordy's own life, which has been full of connections and relationships.

It seems he welcomed these eight children with six different women over the years. This, you know, shows a somewhat varied family structure, but it also highlights the many personal connections he made throughout his life. His personal life, just like his professional one, has been, you know, quite full of different experiences and relationships.

How Many Berry Gordy Kids Are There, Exactly?

To be very clear, Berry Gordy has eight children. This number comes up consistently when you look at his family life. They are: Hazel, Berry IV, Terry, Kerry, Sherry, Kennedy, Rhonda Ross, and Stefan Kendal Gordy. That's a lot of people, really, and each one is a part of his story. You know, it's a testament to his long and interesting life that he has such a large family.

His children have grown up and, as you might expect, have lives of their own. Some of them have chosen paths that are, you know, somewhat similar to their father's, while others have found their own unique ways in the world. But all of them, in a way, carry a piece of the Berry Gordy family name and its history.

The Family Story Behind the Berry Gordy Kids

The story of the Berry Gordy kids is, in some respects, tied to his relationships over the years. He has been married and divorced three times, and, you know, these marriages and other relationships led to him having his eight children. For instance, in 1960, he married Raynoma Mayberry Liles, and they later separated in 1964. They had one son together during that time.

His eldest daughter, Hazel, was born to his first wife, Thelma Coleman. Hazel, as a matter of fact, went on to marry Jermaine Jackson, a singer from the famous Jackson 5 group, back in 1973. They had three children together, which, you know, further extended the family's reach into the music world. This connection really shows how intertwined the lives of these musical families could become.

Another very well-known connection is with music icon Diana Ross. Berry Gordy shares his oldest child with her, a daughter named Rhonda. He and Diana Ross began seeing each other in 1965, and their relationship resulted in Rhonda's birth. Rhonda Suzanne Silberstein, who now goes by Rhonda Ross Kendrick, was born on August 14, 1971. She was raised by her mother, Diana Ross, and Robert Ellis Silberstein, who had married Diana before Rhonda was born. It's interesting, actually, because one of Berry Gordy's daughters didn't know he was her biological father until she was around 13 years old, which is, you know, quite a revelation for a young person.

The Gordy family's history, even before Berry Gordy Jr. came along, is pretty significant. His parents, Berry Gordy Sr. and Bertha Fuller Gordy, were part of the Great Migration, moving north from Georgia to Detroit in 1922. They were, in a way, following the North Star, just like many other African Americans in the early 20th century, seeking a better existence for themselves and their family. They had eight children of their own – Fuller, Esther, Anna, Loucye, George, Gwendolyn, Berry Jr., and Robert. The elder Gordys, you know, made sure to teach their children strong values, which seems to have paid off.

The Musical Paths of the Berry Gordy Kids

Given their father's incredible impact on the music business, it's probably not a big surprise that some of the Berry Gordy kids have, you know, found their own way into the entertainment world. It's almost as if music runs in the family, or something like that. Some of them have definitely made a name for themselves, which is pretty cool when your dad is such a legend.

The influence of a parent who built a music empire is, you know, naturally going to be felt by their children. It's very likely that growing up in such an environment would expose them to the ins and outs of the industry from a young age. This kind of upbringing, arguably, provides a unique foundation for anyone thinking about a career in music or entertainment.

Did Any Berry Gordy Kids Follow His Footsteps?

Yes, absolutely, some of the Berry Gordy kids have indeed followed in their father's musical footsteps. For example, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Berry Gordy's daughter with Diana Ross, is a singer and actress herself. She has, you know, pursued a career in the arts, showing that the creative spark certainly runs through this family line. It's interesting to see how the talents get passed down, or at least how the environment encourages similar pursuits.

Stefan Kendal Gordy, who you might know better as Redfoo from the musical duo LMFAO, is another one of Berry Gordy's children who has made a significant mark in music. His success in popular music shows that the family's connection to hit-making is still very much alive. It's pretty clear that the influence of the Motown founder extends to the next generations, even if their musical styles are, you know, quite different from the classic Motown sound. This just goes to show how varied the talents within one family can be.

The Broader Family Connections of the Berry Gordy Kids

The family of Berry Gordy extends beyond his immediate children, you know, creating a wider network of connections. As we've seen, his daughter Hazel married Jermaine Jackson, which brought together two very influential music families. This kind of intermarriage between prominent families in the entertainment business is, you know, something that happens quite often, creating even bigger, more intertwined legacies.

The story of the Gordy family is, in some respects, a journey that spans several generations. It starts with Berry Gordy Sr. and Bertha Fuller Gordy moving to Detroit, building a life there and raising their own eight children, including Berry Gordy Jr. These elder Gordys, you know, instilled strong values, which probably helped their children make their own way in the world. It’s a pretty rich family history, actually.

What's the Story with the Berry Gordy Kids and Other Notable Families?

The connections of the Berry Gordy kids to other notable families are, you know, quite interesting. Beyond the Jackson family link through Hazel, there's also the very public connection to Diana Ross and her family. Diana Ross is a mother to five grown children: Rhonda, Tracee, Chudney, Ross, and Evan. While Berry Gordy is the father to Rhonda, the other children have different fathers. This means that Rhonda Ross is, you know, a half-sibling to Diana Ross's other children, creating a blended family dynamic that is pretty common in many families.

These connections mean that the Berry Gordy kids are part of a broader, more complex family tree that includes other well-known individuals in the entertainment world. It really shows how interconnected the lives of these public figures can be. The influence of the Gordy name, in a way, reaches out through these family ties, touching various parts of the music and acting industries. It's a pretty fascinating web of relationships, if you think about it.

This article has explored the family life of Berry Gordy, focusing on his eight children: Hazel, Berry IV, Terry, Kerry, Sherry, Kennedy, Rhonda, and Stefan. We looked at his own background, the move his parents made to Detroit, and how he came to have such a large family with six different women. We also touched upon how some of his children, like Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Stefan Kendal Gordy, have pursued careers in entertainment, carrying on a bit of the family's musical heritage. Finally, we saw how the Berry Gordy kids connect to other famous families, like the Jacksons and the broader family of Diana Ross, showing the widespread influence of this remarkable family.

Berry Gordy : Latest News - Closer Weekly

Berry Gordy : Latest News - Closer Weekly

Berry Gordy - Far Out Magazine

Berry Gordy - Far Out Magazine

Berry Gordy Jr. - Son, Age & Songs

Berry Gordy Jr. - Son, Age & Songs

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