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Gordy was the seventh of eight children born to the middle class family of Berry Gordy, Sr. and Bertha Gordy, who had relocated to Detroit from Milledgeville, Georgia in 1922. He dropped out of high school in the eleventh grade to become a professional boxer, a career he followed until 1950 when he was drafted by the United States Army for the Korean War.

After his return from Korea in 1953, he married Thelma Coleman. He developed his interest in music by writing songs and opening the 3-D Record Mart, a record store featuring jazz music. The store was unsuccesful and Gordy sought work at the Lincoln-Mercury plant, but his family connections put him in touch with Al Green, owner of the Flame Show Bar talent club, where he met Jackie WilsonJackie Wilson (b. Jack Leroy Wilson; June 9, 1934 January 21, 1984) was an American soul and R&B singer. Born in Detroit, Michigan when he became active in the music business. He joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes in 1953, replacing Clyde McPhatter. The ban. In 1957Events January January 2 San Francisco and Los Angeles stock exchanges merge. January 3 Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch January 4 After 69 years the last issue of Colliers magazine is published January 5 Russell Endean becomes t Wilson recorded "Reet Petite," a song Gordy had co-written with his sister Gwen and Billy Davis, which became a modest hit. Wilson recorded four more songs co-written by Gordy over the next two years.

Gordy reinvested his songwriting successes into producing. In 1957 he discovered Smokey RobinsonSmokey Robinson (born February 19, 1940) is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter. He was born William Robinson in Detroit, Michigan. In 1955, Robinson helped found the Miracles and became lead singer. The group issued a few somewhat successful s and The MiraclesThe Miracles is a vocal harmony group that was formed in 1955 at Northern High School in Detroit, Michigan. The group is noted for lead singer Smokey Robinson, who was one of the founding members. The Miracles issued a few somewhat successful singles on E, and built a portfolio of successful artists. In January of 1959Events January-February January 1 Cultivars of plants named after this date must be named in a modern language, not in Latin. January 1 Cuba: Fulgencio Batista flees Havana when forces of Fidel Castro advance January 2 CBS Radio cuts four soap operas: Bac founded a new R&B label called Tamla Records, which produced Marv Johnson 's first hit "You Got What It Takes" as well as Barrett Strong 's "Money." At Robinson's encouragement, he created Motown on December 14December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 17 days remaining. Events 867 Adrian II becomes Pope 872 John VIII becomes Pope 1287 Zuider Zee sea wall collapses, killing over 50,000 people 1790 Alexand, 1959Events January-February January 1 Cultivars of plants named after this date must be named in a modern language, not in Latin. January 1 Cuba: Fulgencio Batista flees Havana when forces of Fidel Castro advance January 2 CBS Radio cuts four soap operas: Bac. The 1960 #1 hit "Shop Around" recorded by The Miracles established Motown as an independent label worthy of notice.

Unlike most producers of the time, Gordy did not cultivate Caucasian artists. He promoted African-American artists— but carefully controlled their public image, managing dress, manners, and choreography for crossover appeal. His incredible gift for identifying musical talent, along with the careful management of his artists' public image, made Motown a national success. Over the next decade he signed such artists as Mary Wells, The Supremes led by Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and The Pips, The Commodores, The Marvelettes, Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, and The Jackson Five.

In 1968 Gordy moved to Los Angeles, California and expanded Motown's offices there. In June 1972 he relocated the entire Motown Records company to LA, and the following year he reorganized the company into Motown Industries, an entertainment conglomerate that would include record, movie, television and publishing divisions.

Gordy sold his interests in Motown records to MCA and Boston Ventures in June 1988 for $61 million. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and published an autobiography, To Be Loved, in 1994.