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Motown Executive Esther Gordy Edwards Dead at 91

Industry pioneer opened Motown Historical Museum

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August 26, 2011 9:05 AM ET
esther gordy edwards smokey robinson dead motown
Esther Gordy Edwards with Smokey Robinson
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Esther Gordy Edwards, an executive who built Motown Records along with her brother Berry Gordy Jr., died on Wednesday at the age of 91.

Edwards, who started out with the label as a manager for many of its acts, was an executive at Motown for nearly 30 years. She later went on to become senior vice president, corporate secretary and director of Motown International Operations.

Photos: A Tribute to Motown Great Nick Ashford
When Berry Gordy Jr. sold Motown to MCA in 1988, Edwards remained in Detroit to collect artifacts and memorabilia of the label, which led to the founding of the Motown Historical Museum, located at the company's old headquarters on West Grand Boulevard.

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