A young Diana Ross.Photo: ShowBizIreland/Getty
Happy Birthday,Diana Ross!The musical icon turns 80 on March 26, 2024, and marks the milestone with an incredible life and career to celebrate — and so much more to go.The Oscar-nominated, Grammy-winning star is one of several famous women celebrating a birthday this week,during what’s known as “Diva Week,“and clearly lives up to her Aries qualities.As we celebrate Diana Ross, take a look back on her amazing life and career in photos.
Happy Birthday,Diana Ross!
The musical icon turns 80 on March 26, 2024, and marks the milestone with an incredible life and career to celebrate — and so much more to go.
The Oscar-nominated, Grammy-winning star is one of several famous women celebrating a birthday this week,during what’s known as “Diva Week,“and clearly lives up to her Aries qualities.
As we celebrate Diana Ross, take a look back on her amazing life and career in photos.
01of 371960s: Diana Ross’s Early YearsA young Diana Ross.Diana Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit to Ernestine and Fred Ross, Sr.
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1960s: Diana Ross’s Early Years
A young Diana Ross.
Diana Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit to Ernestine and Fred Ross, Sr.
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1961: Starting Out with The Primettes
A young Diana Ross.GAB Archive/Redferns
The group auditioned for none other than Smokey Robinson — who was Ross’s neighbor — and he brought them to Motown Records. There, they met Berry Gordy, signing a record deal in 1961.
03of 371961: Meet the SupremesA young Diana Ross and The Supremes – Florence Ballard, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson.Walt Disney Archives/GettyIn 1961, the group lost a member, Barbara Martin, and changed their name to the Supremes. The group released their debut album,Meet the Supremes,in 1962, following it up withWhere Did Our Love Goin 1964.
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1961: Meet the Supremes
A young Diana Ross and The Supremes – Florence Ballard, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson.Walt Disney Archives/Getty
In 1961, the group lost a member, Barbara Martin, and changed their name to the Supremes. The group released their debut album,Meet the Supremes,in 1962, following it up withWhere Did Our Love Goin 1964.
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1963: Supreme Success
A young Diana Ross.Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty
05of 371965: Relationship with Berry GordyA young Diana Ross and Berry Gordy.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyIn 1965, Ross began a romantic relationship with music producer Berry Gordy; the pair share daughter Rhonda, who was born in 1971.
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1965: Relationship with Berry Gordy
A young Diana Ross and Berry Gordy.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In 1965, Ross began a romantic relationship with music producer Berry Gordy; the pair share daughter Rhonda, who was born in 1971.
06of 371960s: The Supremes Making HitsA young Diana Ross.Archive Photos/GettyThe group went on an international tour in 1966, capitalizing on their growing fame.
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1960s: The Supremes Making Hits
A young Diana Ross.Archive Photos/Getty
The group went on an international tour in 1966, capitalizing on their growing fame.
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1968: The Supremes Meet Royalty
A young Diana Ross meeting the Queen Mum.Peter King/Fox Photos/Getty
08of 371968: The Supremes and The TemptationsA young Diana Ross.Silver Screen Collection/GettyIn 1968, The Primettes were The Supremes and their male counterparts, The Primes, were the Temptations! The groups joined forces once more, with Motown announcing that the acts would be collaborating.
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1968: The Supremes and The Temptations
A young Diana Ross.Silver Screen Collection/Getty
In 1968, The Primettes were The Supremes and their male counterparts, The Primes, were the Temptations! The groups joined forces once more, with Motown announcing that the acts would be collaborating.
09of 371969: Diana Ross in ‘G.I.T.’ on BroadwayA young Diana Ross.Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo BankThe groups performed together in the 1969 television specialG.I.T. on Broadway —which stood for Gettin' It Together.
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1969: Diana Ross in ‘G.I.T.’ on Broadway
A young Diana Ross.Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank
The groups performed together in the 1969 television specialG.I.T. on Broadway —which stood for Gettin' It Together.
10of 371969: Diana Ross Leaves the SupremesA young Diana Ross.Disney General Entertainment Content/GettyIn 1969, the singer decided to go solo, putting out her first studio album the following year, titled simplyDiana Ross.The album featured her hit single, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.“She also starred in her first solo television special,Diana!
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1969: Diana Ross Leaves the Supremes
A young Diana Ross.Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty
In 1969, the singer decided to go solo, putting out her first studio album the following year, titled simplyDiana Ross.The album featured her hit single, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
She also starred in her first solo television special,Diana!
11of 371971: Diana Ross Marries Robert Ellis SilbersteinA young Diana Ross with Ellis Silberstein.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyIn 1971, Rossmarried music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein. The pair welcomed two more daughters, Tracee and Chudney, in 1972 and 1975, respectively. The pair divorced in 1977.
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1971: Diana Ross Marries Robert Ellis Silberstein
A young Diana Ross with Ellis Silberstein.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In 1971, Rossmarried music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein. The pair welcomed two more daughters, Tracee and Chudney, in 1972 and 1975, respectively. The pair divorced in 1977.
12of 371972: Diana Ross in ‘Lady Sings the Blues’A young Diana Ross.RB/RedfernsRoss earned a starring role in the 1972 Billie Holiday biopic,Lady Sings the Blues.
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1972: Diana Ross in ‘Lady Sings the Blues’
A young Diana Ross.RB/Redferns
Ross earned a starring role in the 1972 Billie Holiday biopic,Lady Sings the Blues.
13of 371973: And the Oscar Goes to …A young Diana Ross.Bettmann/GettyRoss’s performance inLady Sings the Bluesearned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
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1973: And the Oscar Goes to …
A young Diana Ross.Bettmann/Getty
Ross’s performance inLady Sings the Bluesearned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
14of 371974: Diana Ross Co-Hosts the OscarsA young Diana Ross.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesIn 1974, Ross made history as the first Black woman to co-host the Academy Awards. She did so alongside John Huston, Burt Reynolds and David Niven.
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1974: Diana Ross Co-Hosts the Oscars
A young Diana Ross.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
In 1974, Ross made history as the first Black woman to co-host the Academy Awards. She did so alongside John Huston, Burt Reynolds and David Niven.
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1975: Divas Galore
A young Diana Ross with Elton John and Cher.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In 1975, Ross starred in her second film,Mahogany, and the fashion icon not only acted in the film, but designed the costumes. She earned her third No. 1 hit with “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To).”
Pictured: Ross with Cher and Elton John in 1975.
16of 371978: Starring in ‘The Wiz’A young Diana Ross in The Wiz.Michael Ochs Archive/GettyIn 1978, Ross eased on down the road and onto the set ofThe Wiz,playing Dorothy alongside Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross.
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1978: Starring in ‘The Wiz’
A young Diana Ross in The Wiz.Michael Ochs Archive/Getty
In 1978, Ross eased on down the road and onto the set ofThe Wiz,playing Dorothy alongside Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross.
17of 371980: Disco QueenA young Diana Ross.GettyIn 1980, Ross made the pivot, like so many other artists, to embrace the disco era. Pictured, she lets loose at Studio54.
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1980: Disco Queen
A young Diana Ross.Getty
In 1980, Ross made the pivot, like so many other artists, to embrace the disco era. Pictured, she lets loose at Studio54.
18of 371980: Dating Gene SimmonsA young Diana Ross and Gene Simmons.Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/GettyFrom 1980 to 1983, Ross dated KISS frontman Gene Simmons.
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1980: Dating Gene Simmons
A young Diana Ross and Gene Simmons.Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/Getty
From 1980 to 1983, Ross dated KISS frontman Gene Simmons.
19of 371980: The Release of ‘Diana’A young Diana Ross.Anwar Hussein/GettyThat same year, Ross releasedDianaand it quickly became her most successful album. It included iconic songs like “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out.”
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1980: The Release of ‘Diana’
A young Diana Ross.Anwar Hussein/Getty
That same year, Ross releasedDianaand it quickly became her most successful album. It included iconic songs like “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out.”
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1981: Iconic Duet
A young Diana Ross with Lionel Richie.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty
21of 371982: Superstar at the Super BowlA young Diana Ross.gettyIn 1982, Ross became the first pop star to ever perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl. She’d return to the Super Bowl Stage in 1996 to perform during the halftime show.
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1982: Superstar at the Super Bowl
A young Diana Ross.getty
In 1982, Ross became the first pop star to ever perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl. She’d return to the Super Bowl Stage in 1996 to perform during the halftime show.
22of 371980s: Record SuccessA young Diana Ross.Harry Langdon/GettyRoss continued to experience success throughout the 1980s and boy, was she busy. The singer released an album almost every year of the decade:Why Do Fools Fall in Lovein 1981,Silk Electricin 1982,Rossin 1983,Swept Awayin 1984,Eaten Alivein 1985,Red Hot Rhythm & Bluesin 1987 andWorkin’ Overtimein 1989.
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1980s: Record Success
A young Diana Ross.Harry Langdon/Getty
Ross continued to experience success throughout the 1980s and boy, was she busy. The singer released an album almost every year of the decade:Why Do Fools Fall in Lovein 1981,Silk Electricin 1982,Rossin 1983,Swept Awayin 1984,Eaten Alivein 1985,Red Hot Rhythm & Bluesin 1987 andWorkin’ Overtimein 1989.
23of 371986: Marrying Arne Naess Jr.A young Diana Ross.Georges De Keerle/GettyIn 1986, Ross married Norwegian shipping tycoon Arne Naess Jr. in Switzerland. The pair welcomed two sons, Ross and Evan, in 1987 and 1988, respectively. The couple divorced in 2000.
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1986: Marrying Arne Naess Jr.
A young Diana Ross.Georges De Keerle/Getty
In 1986, Ross married Norwegian shipping tycoon Arne Naess Jr. in Switzerland. The pair welcomed two sons, Ross and Evan, in 1987 and 1988, respectively. The couple divorced in 2000.
24of 371988: Hall of FamerA young Diana Ross.Staff/Mirrorpix/GettyIn 1988, The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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1988: Hall of Famer
A young Diana Ross.Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty
In 1988, The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
25of 371991: Performing for RoyaltyA young Diana Ross.Harry Langdon/GettyIn 1991, Ross returned to London and the Royal Variety, this time solo.
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1991: Performing for Royalty
In 1991, Ross returned to London and the Royal Variety, this time solo.
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1993: Singing at the Inauguration
A young Diana Ross.Mark Reinstein/Corbis/Getty
27of 371996: Performing with RuPaulDiana Ross and RuPaul.Paul Harris/Hulton Archive/GettyRoss collaborated with RuPaul when they strutted their stuff in the music video for Ross’s cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
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1996: Performing with RuPaul
Diana Ross and RuPaul.Paul Harris/Hulton Archive/Getty
Ross collaborated with RuPaul when they strutted their stuff in the music video for Ross’s cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
28of 372000: Supremes Reunion TourDiana Ross on stage.ShowBizIreland/GettyIn 2000, Rossattempted to stage a Supremes reunion tour, but she was unable to get Mary Wilson or Cindy Birdsong to participate. Instead, she performed with Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne. The tour was cancelled due to poor ticket sales, but the group performed on theTodayshow andVH1’s Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross.
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2000: Supremes Reunion Tour
Diana Ross on stage.ShowBizIreland/Getty
In 2000, Rossattempted to stage a Supremes reunion tour, but she was unable to get Mary Wilson or Cindy Birdsong to participate. Instead, she performed with Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne. The tour was cancelled due to poor ticket sales, but the group performed on theTodayshow andVH1’s Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross.
29of 372000: A Turbulent Early 2000sDiana Ross in the 2000s.Pete Still/RedfernsRoss experienced a few missteps in the early aughts, beginning with analtercation with a security guard at London Heathrow Airport in 1999. In May 2002, she admitted herself into a rehabilitation program in Malibu. In December 2002, wasarrested for driving under the influencein Tucson, Arizona.
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2000: A Turbulent Early 2000s
Diana Ross in the 2000s.Pete Still/Redferns
Ross experienced a few missteps in the early aughts, beginning with analtercation with a security guard at London Heathrow Airport in 1999. In May 2002, she admitted herself into a rehabilitation program in Malibu. In December 2002, wasarrested for driving under the influencein Tucson, Arizona.
30of 372001: Attending the Met GalaDiana Ross at the Met Gala.George De Sota/NewsmakersRoss attended theMet Gala in 2001.The theme that year was “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.“In 2006, Universal released Ross’s previously unheardBluealbum from 1972, and late that year she would release her first studio album in seven years,I Love You.
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2001: Attending the Met Gala
Diana Ross at the Met Gala.George De Sota/Newsmakers
Ross attended theMet Gala in 2001.The theme that year was “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.”
In 2006, Universal released Ross’s previously unheardBluealbum from 1972, and late that year she would release her first studio album in seven years,I Love You.
31of 372012: Winning a GrammyDiana Ross wins a Grammy.Steve Granitz/WireImageAfter being nominated for 12 Grammys (two as part of the Supremes) throughout her career, Ross finally got her trophy when she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2012.
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2012: Winning a Grammy
Diana Ross wins a Grammy.Steve Granitz/WireImage
After being nominated for 12 Grammys (two as part of the Supremes) throughout her career, Ross finally got her trophy when she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2012.
32of 372016: Getting the Presidential Medal of FreedomDiana Ross with President Barack Obama.Leigh Vogel/WireImageRoss received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from PresidentBarack Obama. Obama said at the ceremony that Ross “exuded glamour and grace” and earned “a permanent place in the American soundtrack.”
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2016: Getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Diana Ross with President Barack Obama.Leigh Vogel/WireImage
Ross received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from PresidentBarack Obama. Obama said at the ceremony that Ross “exuded glamour and grace” and earned “a permanent place in the American soundtrack.”
33of 372017: A Lifetime of AchievementDiana Ross and her family.Steve Granitz/WireImageIn 2017, Ross’s entire family was present to celebrate her as she accepted theLifetime Achievement Award at the American Music Awards.
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2017: A Lifetime of Achievement
Diana Ross and her family.Steve Granitz/WireImage
In 2017, Ross’s entire family was present to celebrate her as she accepted theLifetime Achievement Award at the American Music Awards.
34of 372019: ‘Vanity Fair’ AfterpartyDiana Ross and her family.Kevin Mazur/VF19/WireImageIn 2019, Ross attended theVanity FairOscars Party with her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, son Evan Ross and daughter-in-law Ashlee Simpson Ross.
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2019: ‘Vanity Fair’ Afterparty
Diana Ross and her family.Kevin Mazur/VF19/WireImage
In 2019, Ross attended theVanity FairOscars Party with her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, son Evan Ross and daughter-in-law Ashlee Simpson Ross.
35of 372019: Reunited with Berry GordyDiana Ross and Berry Gordy.Michael Kovac/GettyIn 2019, Ross attended Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration with Berry Gordy. Gordysaid of their reasons for never marrying and, in fact, breaking up, “Diana and I are the same kind of people. She wanted what I wanted. We set out to get it and we vowed never to let our personal relationship affect it … I loved her, but I wasn’t selfish enough to want to marry and take her out of what I knew she had to have. She had to have that stardom up there.”
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2019: Reunited with Berry Gordy
Diana Ross and Berry Gordy.Michael Kovac/Getty
In 2019, Ross attended Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration with Berry Gordy. Gordysaid of their reasons for never marrying and, in fact, breaking up, “Diana and I are the same kind of people. She wanted what I wanted. We set out to get it and we vowed never to let our personal relationship affect it … I loved her, but I wasn’t selfish enough to want to marry and take her out of what I knew she had to have. She had to have that stardom up there.”
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2019: Celebrating Her 75th Birthday
Diana Ross turns 75.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
37of 372021: Diana Ross Announces Her Latest AlbumDiana Ross in 2021.Rick Kern/GettyIn 2021, the singer announced her first new album in 15 years. TitledThankYou,the forthcoming LP was recorded in Ross’s home studio and “offers a powerful, inclusive musical message of love and togetherness,” according to a press release.
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2021: Diana Ross Announces Her Latest Album
Diana Ross in 2021.Rick Kern/Getty
In 2021, the singer announced her first new album in 15 years. TitledThankYou,the forthcoming LP was recorded in Ross’s home studio and “offers a powerful, inclusive musical message of love and togetherness,” according to a press release.
source: people.com
