Esther Edwards

April 25, 1920 (age 91)

Edwards created the Motown Museum, Hitsville United States.A., by preserving the label"s Detroit studio. She also served as President of the Motown Museum and has been called the "Mother of Motown". Edwards" younger siblings included sisters Anna, the late Loucye, and Gwen, as well as brothers Fuller, George, Berry and Robert, who was the youngest of the family. Esther married Detroit politician George Edwards in 1951. Her younger brother Berry reportedly asked for an $800 loan to help start Motown Records in 1959. After Motown became established, Edwards took an active role in management and booking tours, including the legendary Motortown Revue in the early 1960s. While at Motown, Edwards took on a motherly role towards some of the label"s younger acts. In the mid-1960s, she served as Motown"s vice president and chief executive officer She was succeeded in this role by Smokey Robinson in 1972. Edwards later served on the board for the Detroit Bank of Commonwealth and the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce. In 1985, Edwards became the director of the Motown Historical Museum (Hitsville United States of America) and has since been credited with carefully maintaining the original studios of Motown. Edwards is often described as "the pillar of Motown". Death She was 91 years old.

Esther Edwards

Edit Profile

vice president chief executive

Background

Esther Gordy Edwards was born to Berry Gordy, Senior and Bertha Fuller Gordy in Baldwin County, Georgia.

Education

Edwards attended Detroit"s prestigious Cass Technical High School. She later graduated from Howard University.

Career

Edwards created the Motown Museum, Hitsville United States.A., by preserving the label"s Detroit studio. She also served as President of the Motown Museum and has been called the "Mother of Motown". Edwards" younger siblings included sisters Anna, the late Loucye, and Gwen, as well as brothers Fuller, George, Berry and Robert, who was the youngest of the family.

Esther married Detroit politician George Edwards in 1951.

Her younger brother Berry reportedly asked for an $800 loan to help start Motown Records in 1959. After Motown became established, Edwards took an active role in management and booking tours, including the legendary Motortown Revue in the early 1960s.

While at Motown, Edwards took on a motherly role towards some of the label"s younger acts. In the mid-1960s, she served as Motown"s vice president and chief executive officer

She was succeeded in this role by Smokey Robinson in 1972.

Edwards later served on the board for the Detroit Bank of Commonwealth and the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce. In 1985, Edwards became the director of the Motown Historical Museum (Hitsville United States of America) and has since been credited with carefully maintaining the original studios of Motown. Edwards is often described as "the pillar of Motown".

Death

She was 91 years old.

Main Photo

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Connections

Esther Edwards

Background

Education

Career

Born

Died

Nationality

Political Party