Ex-wife of Marvin Gaye who inspired a masterpiece

Songwriter Anna Gordy Gaye had a turbulent marriage with the singer before they reconciled just before he was shot dead by his father.

WHEN Anna Gordy divorced Marvin Gaye in 1975, the settlement was unusual: she would receive the proceeds from his next album – US$305,000 from the advance and US$295,000 in future royalties – in lieu of maintenance and child support. Gaye claimed to be broke, but since he was enjoying success with such hits as What’s Going On and Let’s Get It On, Gordy, who has died aged 92, could have looked forward to substantial compensation for the end of their turbulent 12-year marriage. What she could not have expected was that her ex-husband would turn the album into a post-mortem examination of their relationship.