Nona Gaye

Life & family

Nona Gaye is an American singer, model, and actress.

She is the daughter of Janis (Hunter) and legendary soul singer, songwriter, and musician Marvin Gaye. She has a son.

Nona’s paternal grandfather was Marvin Pentz Gay (the son of George Gay and Marnie/Mamie Mae Watkins). Marvin was born in Kentucky. George was the son of Strawden Gay and Rebecca Hardin or Susan Fuller. Marnie was the daughter of Dan/Daniel Watkins and Charlotte Smith.

Nona’s paternal grandmother was Alberta Williams Cooper (the daughter of Sam/John Cooper and Ruth/Lucy Smith). Alberta was born in North Carolina. Sam was the son of Sally Cooper.

Nona’s maternal grandfather was Slim Gaillard, a jazz singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and vibraphonist (born Bulee Gaillard, the son of Theopolis/Theophilus “Fess” Rothschild and Mary Elizabeth Gaillard/Gillard). Slim was born in Michigan. Slim’s father Theopolis was said to be a white man, of German Jewish heritage, the son of Simon Rothschild and Catherine Adams. Nona’s great-grandmother Mary Elizabeth was African-American, from Alabama, the daughter of James B. Gaillard and Sarah Scott.

Nona’s maternal grandmother was named Barbara Hunter.