Marvin Gaye's 2nd Wife Dead at 66: Did She Die of an Illness?

Marvin Gaye's second wife, Janis Hunter Gaye, died at the age of 66, her family confirmed.

Janis' bereaved family confirmed her passing in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, saying that the legendary singer's ex-wife died at her home in Rhode Island on Saturday. Marvin shared two children with her.

Their daughter, Nona Gaye, said, "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."

Janis Hunter Gaye's cause of death was not disclosed to the public.

Marvin and Janis met in the early 1970s when the late matriarch was just 17. At that time, the singer was still married to Motown records founder Berry Gordy's sister, Anna Gordy.

Before her death, she penned her 2015 memoir "After the Dance: My Life with Marvin Gaye" where she revealed that they first met after producer Ed Townsend brought her to the singer's recording studio.

Although they had a 17-year age difference, they started infidelity and welcomed their daughter Nona in 1974. The two got married in 1977, a year before their second child, Frankie, was born.

Marvin's love for Janis led him to create songs for and about her, including the song, "Jan." They also worked together on the 1977 track, "Got to Give It Up."

But their relationship was not smooth-sailing at all as the late singer reportedly threatened her with a knife following their separation. He allegedly planned to kidnap their then-4-year-old son in Hawaii, as well.

They filed for divorce in 1982.

Janis died decades after the legendary singer died in April 1984 at the age of 44.

Marvin Gaye's Death

The singer died on Apr. 1, 1984 a day before his supposed 45^th birthday. His father, Marvin Gay Sr., committed the crime at their Arlington Heights district home.

Reports revealed that the "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" hitmaker suffered gunshot wounds after intervening in an argument between his parents. Unfortunately, he did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the California Hospital Medical Center.

Marvin Sr. stood before the court after the killing and was held at the Los Angeles County Jail. In one interview, he said that he did not mean to shoot his son.

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