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How did Marvin Gaye's wife die? Janis Hunter Gaye's daughter describes her as 'most influential woman'

A tweet read, 'She was Marvin's muse. I honestly don't think we wouldn't have seen his creative evolution at the level we witnessed if they never met'

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: The second wife of 'Motown' legend Marvin Gaye, Janis Hunter Gaye, died at her home in Rhode Island. She reportedly breathed her last because of an unrevealed reason on Saturday, December 3, at the age of 66. Her death was confirmed by her daughter, Nona Gaye.

In a statement, the 48-year-old retired actress reportedly 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. 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.”

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“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. 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,” Nona added.

Janis first reportedly met Marvin when she was just 17 and he was double her age, The Hollywood Reporter reported. The two met with the help of producer Ed Townsend in 1973 and soon fell in love. The ‘Sexual Healing’ singer went on to write ‘Jan’ for Janis, which was released in 1974 as part of his album – ‘Marvin Gaye Live!’ His second tribute to her ‘I Want You’ released in 1976 was called “a romantic and erotic tribute” by music writer Michael Eric Dyson.

The couple tied the knot in 1977 and had two children together before calling it quits in 1981. Three years after the divorce, Marvin died after being gunned down by his father Marvin Gaye Sr. In his memory, Janis wrote a book, titled 'After the Dance: My Life With Marvin Gaye', which went on the shelves in 2015.

A lot of people paid their tributes to Janis as a person wrote on Twitter, “Marvin Gaye will forever live on my Favorites Playlist May she #RIP.” “So very sad!!!!” another person shared. “RIP JANIS GAYE !! I would not have the intimate understanding of not just one of my favorite artists but also about the dynamic of relationships in the industry. I loved your book after the dance and wish you peace on your journey,” the third one tweeted and the fourth person exclaimed, “The man and the love of his life reunited and reconciled. #janisgaye #MarvinGaye @ClassicMotown @Motown_Museum @motown #BlackGirlMagic.”

A tweet read, “She was Marvin's muse.. I honestly don't think we wouldn't have seen his creative evolution at the level we witnessed if they never met. Mysterious yet beautiful energy. She was the answer to the riddle and the recipe..Standing Ovation..Rest Peacefully Janis Gaye.” Another tweet added, “Rest in peace Janis Gaye. The inspiration behind my favourite Marvin Gaye record ‘I Want You’… I can only imagine what a formidable woman she was!”

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