Motown Founder Berry Gordy's Kids: Get to Know His 8 Children

Motown founder Berry Gordy found a multitude of success writing and producing major hits with artists like Michael Jackson and Smokey Robinson. His eight children are just as talented as their famous father. Some of them have gone on to establish careers in the entertainment world too.

Berry, born in 1929, was a professional boxer before he served overseas in the Korean War in the early ‘50s. Upon returning to the U.S., the musician met and married his first wife, Thelma Coleman, in 1953. Though the details surrounding their marriage have been kept rather private, the pair did welcome three children together: Hazel Joy Gordy, Berry Gordy IV and Terry James Gordy. They divorced in 1959, just as Berry founded Tamla Records, which later became known as the iconic label Motown.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee married his second wife, Raynoma Singleton, in 1960. She became a huge part of Motown, helping assist with publishing operations and putting together a group of background vocalists. Together, they welcomed one son, Kerry Gordy. The couple called it quits in 1984. The R&B artist died in 2016 after losing her battle with brain cancer.

During his marriage to Raynoma, in 1964, he welcomed son Kennedy William Gordy with Margaret Norton. Berry also welcomed daughter Sherry Gordy with Jeana Jackson in the early ‘60s. In 1961, Berry signed Diana Ross and The Supremes to Motown. Their friendship ended up blossoming into a romance down the line. He later welcomed a child with the Grammy winner, daughter Rhonda Ross, in 1971.

“I wanted to make her the biggest star in the world. She believed in me and I believed in her. Together we made magic,” he told Billboard in June 2017 about his relationship with Diana.

Berry’s youngest child, Stefan Kendal Gordy, better known as Redfoo, was born in 1975. His mother is producer Nancy Leiviska. Berry did not welcome any children with his third wife, Grace Eaton, who he married in 1990. The pair were married until 1993. He has since been dedicated to spending time with his children and grandchildren and taken a step back from his music career.

Keep scrolling to meet Berry’s eight kids.

Kerry Gordy

Kerry is by far, one of the most famous Gordy children. He ventured into the music business, becoming the CEO of Kerry Gordy & Associates, Inc. The company is responsible for helping popular artists with brand deals and royalty payouts. The music mogul spent a lot of time around his father growing up, working in the mailroom at Motown.

In 2012, Kerry served as the executive producer of The Jadagrace Show. He formerly worked under Prince’s record label Paisley Park Records and managed late singer Rick James. As for his personal life, Kerry is a father to daughter Juliet Gordy with his wife, Karen Longley Gordy.

Sherry Gordy

Sherry was raised in Southern California and studied business at UCLA while also taking acting classes. Eventually, she decided to get her real estate license and started her own brokerage. In between her career as a realtor, she was inspired by her father to start her own charity in 2004. According to her website, her mission is to “enhance the educational success, employment opportunities, and the emotional health of underprivileged youth and young adults, who face economic, social, and emotional challenges.”

Kennedy William ‘Rockwell’ Gordy

Kennedy is a pop artist who performs under the name Rockwell. In 1984, he recorded his song, “Somebody’s Watching Me,” with members of the Jackson 5 performing background vocals. It has been his biggest song yet, topping the Billboard R&B chart for five weeks after its release. The hit song saw a resurgence in 2021 after it became a popular sound on TikTok. Rockwell released three albums from 1984 to 1986 and appeared on shows like American Bandstand and Soul Train.

Rhonda Ross

Rhonda, Diana’s eldest child, portrayed Toni Burrell on Another World from 1997 to 1999. Her mother was married to her first husband, Ron Silberstein, when she was born. She was told Berry was her father at the age of 13. The Emmy nominee opened up about learning about her biological father in a May 2015 interview with the New York Post.

“I’d meet fans on the street who’d say, ‘Oh child, we knew you were Berry Gordy’s daughter — you look just like him!’” she said.

In 2016, Rhonda released her album, In Case You Didn’t Know, along with opening up for her mother on tour a year later. She wrote two of the songs that were featured on Diana’s 2021 Thank You album. Her husband, Rodney Kendrick, is also a musician. The pair got married in 1996 and welcomed their son, Raif-Henok Emmanuel Kendrick, in 2009.

Stefan Kendal ‘Redfoo’ Gordy

Stefan AKA Redfoo formed LMFAO with his nephew, Sky Blu, in 2006. They were signed to Interscope and released their first album, Party Rock, in 2009. Their successful second album, Sorry for Party Rocking, was released in 2011. The duo’s biggest hits include “Shots” with Lil Jon, “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It.”

From 2013 to 2014, Redfoo appeared as a judge on The X Factor Australia. He also served as a mentor on the U.S. version of the show. In 2015, the singer competed on season 20 of Dancing with the Stars with Emma Slater. The couple were the first eliminated from the competition that season.