She had abusive relationships with James Brown and David Ruffin
James Brown. Picture: Getty
In an episode of music documentary series Unsung, it was revealed that Terrell suffered from health, mental and physical trauma after being raped when she was a teenager on her way home from school by three boys.
She was diagnosed with cancer at a young age
It was claimed that Valerie Simpson had to step in for Terrell for her third album with Gaye, Easy. Gaye later said this was “another moneymaking scheme on BG’s [Berry Gordy’s] part”.
She passed away before her 25th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day
Marvin Gaye never got over her death
Gaye’s classic album What’s Going On was also in part a reaction to Terrell’s death.
