Janis Hunter, the renowned director, stylist, and novelist, sadly passed away on December 3, 2022. Hunter was the second wife of Marvin Gaye, she was 66 years old at the time of her death. Janis Hunter Gaye was the inspiration for many of Motown great Marvin Gaye’s songs, including ‘Jan’, ‘My Love is Waiting’ and ‘Flower of the Ghetto’. Sadly, she passed away at her Rhode Island home on Saturday, her family announced. .
Read on to find out more about Janis Hunter’s life, career, and cause of death.
Who was Janis Hunter Gaye?
Janis Gaye She was born in Los Angeles and is the second wife of celebrated musical artist Marvin Gaye. She and Marvin were blessed with two children; daughter Nona and her son Frankie Gaye. Janis was a stylist, director and novelist, she was the daughter of singer and musician Slim Gaillard, known for his hits “Flat Foot Floogie (With a Floy Floy)”.
The story of his meeting with the Motown legend Marvin Gaye began during a 1973 recording session for his album “Let’s Get It On.” This is where producer Ed Townsend introduced them when she was just 17 and he was 34. Thereafter, Gaye wrote the song “Jan” to celebrate her future and appeared on “Marvin Gaye Live.” and “I Want You”, both released in 1974 and 1976 respectively. In addition, his 1977 disco single “Got To Give It Up” also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot chart in tribute to his beloved wife.
#JanGaye the wife of the iconic Marvin Gaye is here talking about the new book After the Dance, have questions? pic.twitter.com/YIiSUzO5Jn
— Mr Radio aka LG (@LennyGreen) May 20, 2015
How did Janis Hunter Gaye die? Cause of death explained
Janis Hunter Gaye passed away this past Saturday at the age of 66. Her family members Shawnn Monteiro (sister) and Mark Gaillard (brother), as well as her children Nona and Frankie, are mourning this great loss. She also leaves behind a grandson, Nolan Pentz, the exact cause of Janis’s death has yet to be revealed by her family members.
Tributes to Janis on social media
Social media is awash with tributes to Janis’s sad death, her family, friends and fans have been mourning the loss.
Ed Gordon shared a post on Facebook with a flashback image that read: “I interviewed Jan several times over the years, she was smart and always attractive. She passed away on Saturday at the age of 66. RIP”
Mark McPhee, Janis’s Facebook friend, shared a post that read: “Her death is a huge shock.”
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We are saddened to share the information about the death of Janis Hunter Gaye through this article. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and fans. We extend our deepest condolences to her family during this difficult time. Please leave her thoughts and prayers in the comments below.