We love us some Marvin Gaye, here at ILOSM…but by now, we’ve all heard about the many struggles that plagued the late icon’s life. Some of them were not his doing and some of them were caused by his own personal demons, as Marvin himself has even confessed. But there’s one vital part of his life that many do not know, and that is the reportedly true biological bloodline of he and Anna Gordy’s (Berry Gordy’s sister) adopted son, Marvin Gaye III. Typically, we aren’t too surprised by what we learn about Marvin anymore, but this one tripped us out.

According to historian/author, Michael Eric Dyson’s biography, “Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye,” as well as author, Steve Turner’s biography, “TROUBLE MAN: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye,” Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy had taken very controversial steps to have their son, Marvin III.

MARVIN GAYE HAD SON WITH THEN-WIFE’S TEEN NIECE, DENISE GORDY?

It has been revealed, in the aforementioned biographies, that the reportedly REAL mother of Marvin Gaye III is actually actress, Denise Gordy, 71 (pictured below), the niece of Berry Gordy and Marvin Gaye’s then-wife, Anna Gordy. Denise was said to be just 15 years old at the time of Marvin III’s birth in 1965, which means Marvin Gaye risked being jailed for statutory rape, had anyone found out back then.

Let’s not forget that Marvin Gaye did publicly date his then-girlfriend (who eventually became his wife), Janis Gaye, when she was 17 and he was 34. So, being with a not-yet-legal young lady wasn’t foreign territory for him back then. Moving on…

MEET DENISE GORDY, ALLEGED BIOLOGICAL MOM OF MARVIN GAYE III

Below is a photo of Anna Gordy’s niece, Denise Gordy – the woman who was allegedly underaged when she reportedly gave birth to Marvin Gaye III, the ‘adopted’ son of singer, Marvin Gaye, and his then-wife, Anna Gordy…

MARVIN GAYE’S WIFE FAKED HER PREGNANCY?

Anna Gordy’s and Marvin Gaye’s pregnancy/birthing scandal was supposedly pre-arranged by the couple, because Anna — who was 17 years older than husband, Marvin — reportedly couldn’t conceive by that time.

According to the biographies, Anna Gordy — with her husband’s approval — faked her pregnancy for the media and claimed that she’d given birth to Marvin III. However, years later Marvin Gaye revealed in his biography, “Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye,” to author David Ritz, that their son, Marvin III, was really “adopted.” The book released in 1985, a year after Marvin’s death. According to several reports, that’s when Marvin Gaye III learned his true identity – that allegedly: his biological mother, Denise Gordy, is not his ‘cousin’; his ‘adoptive mom,’ Anna Gordy, is his great-aunt; and his ‘adoptive father,’ singer Marvin Gaye, is his biological father…allegedly.

MICHAEL ERIC DYSON’S MARVIN GAYE BIOGRAPHY POINTS OUT THE OBVIOUS

In his biography, Michael Eric Dyson also pointed out a very interesting line in Marvin’s 1978 single, “Here My Dear,” (which Marvin also publicly admitted was written for Anna Gordy after they began having marital problems):

“You don’t have a right to use a son of mine to keep me in line […] one thing I can’t do without is the boy God Gave both of us.” – Marvin Gaye, “Here My Dear”

Dyson’s book excerpts:

MARVIN GAYE III’S (ALLEGED) FAMOUS SISTER AND HER IN-LAWS

Marvin Gaye III is actually the (alleged) biological brother of “Queen Sugar” actress, Bianca Lawson. Bianca is the daughter of legendary actor, Richard Lawson. Richard is the husband of Tina Knowles, and the step-dad of Beyonce and Solange! Ain’t that some tea…or shall we say, some “Lemonade” for ya?!!

Peep Tina Lawson having a lil’ fun with her hubby, Richard, below…

And we can’t forget the time Bianca was photographed chillin’ with her stepsister’s, Beyonce and Solange Knowles, at their parents’ wedding…

DENISE GORDY WITH DAUGHTER, BIANCA LAWSON

Richard Lawson was married to Bianca’s and Marvin Gaye III’s (alleged) mom, Denise Gordy, from 1978 to 1989. Bianca was born in 1979 and she’s 42 years old. We’re not sure if Bianca and Marvin Gaye III have a relationship today, but clearly, Bianca and her parents do…below she’s pictured with her mom, Denise Gordy…

Whew…ILOSM family, that was a LOT to unpack, was it not?!!