Diana Ross

Diana Ross
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Name	Diana Ross
Caption	Ross performing in 1976.
Birth name	Diane Ernestine Ross
Birth date	26 March 1944
Birth place	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, actress, record producer
Years active	1959–present
Spouse	Robert Ellis Silberstein (1971–1977), Arne Næss Jr. (1985–2000)
Children	5, including Rhonda, Tracee, and Evan
Associated acts	The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie
Website	dianaross.com

Diana Ross. An iconic American singer and actress, she rose to international fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, one of the most successful musical acts of the 1960s. Her subsequent solo career solidified her status as a global superstar, earning her numerous accolades including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With a career spanning over six decades, she is renowned for her distinctive voice, glamorous style, and influential contributions to popular music and film.

Early life and career beginnings

Diane Ernestine Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Fred and Ernestine Ross. She grew up in the city's Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects and attended Cass Technical High School, where she studied clothing design and cosmetology. Her early musical interests were shaped by listening to artists like Lena Horne and Billie Holiday on the family radio. In the late 1950s, she joined a vocal group called The Primetones with friends from her neighborhood, including Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. Their talent was soon noticed by Milton Jenkins, manager of the local group The Primetones, who helped arrange an audition for the burgeoning Motown label.

The Supremes and Motown success

In 1961, Berry Gordy signed the group, initially named The Primettes, to Motown Records, where they were renamed The Supremes. After early struggles, the trio, with Ross as lead vocalist, achieved their first U.S. number-one hit in 1964 with "Where Did Our Love Go". This began an unprecedented string of success, with subsequent chart-toppers including "Baby Love", "Stop! In the Name of Love", and "You Can't Hurry Love". Under the guidance of the Motown production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, The Supremes became a global phenomenon, rivaling the popularity of The Beatles and appearing on prestigious programs like The Ed Sullivan Show. Their success made them ambassadors for Motown and helped break racial barriers in the American entertainment industry.

Solo career and international stardom

Ross embarked on a solo career in 1970, with her debut single "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" becoming a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. She signed a groundbreaking contract with Motown Records reportedly worth $20 million, granting her unprecedented creative control. Throughout the 1970s, she released a series of successful albums and singles, including "Touch Me in the Morning", "Love Hangover", and the disco anthem "Upside Down". Her 1980 collaboration with Lionel Richie on the theme for the film Endless Love became another signature hit. She continued to tour globally, with her 1983 Central Park concert drawing an estimated 800,000 people, though it was famously marred by a rainstorm.

Acting career and other ventures

Ross made her acting debut portraying legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday in the film Lady Sings the Blues (1972), for which she received an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award. She starred in two subsequent films for Motown: the musical Mahogany (1975) and the fantasy The Wiz (1978), an all-black cast adaptation of The Wizard of Oz co-starring Michael Jackson. Beyond music and film, she launched a successful fragrance line, authored a book, and performed in prestigious venues like Radio City Music Hall and Las Vegas. She also served as a producer for several of her own television specials and later projects.

Personal life and legacy

Ross has been married twice: first to music business manager Robert Ellis Silberstein, and later to Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Næss Jr.. She has five children, including actress Tracee Ellis Ross and musician Evan Ross. Her eldest daughter, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, is from her relationship with Berry Gordy. Ross's influence is profound; she is cited as an inspiration by countless artists including Beyoncé, Madonna, and Janet Jackson. Her honors include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and recognition from the Guinness World Records as the most successful female music artist in history. Her enduring career and cultural impact cement her legacy as an entertainment icon.

Category:American singers Category:American actresses Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees