Born & Raised:
Born: March 26, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan.
Raised in Detroit.
Raised in Detroit.
Early Life:
Diana Ross was born and raised in Detroit, the daughter of Ernestine and Fred Ross. She was the second-oldest of six children and grew up in Brewster-Douglass, a low-income housing project. She grew up active in a Baptist church choir and performing in school. In 1959, while still in high school, she was chosen join a girls' singing quartet called the Primettes, a female version of a male group called The Primes. In addition to Diana, the Primettes included Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Betty McGlown.
The Supremes:
In 1961, the Primettes agreed to change their name to The Supremes and signed a deal with Motown Records. The following year one member left, and the group became a trio, with Diana, Florence and Mary remaining. Diana eventually was given the job of lead singer based on her strong, distinctive voice. Between 1964 and 1967 the group had 10 No. 1 hit singles, including "Baby Love," "Stop in the Name of Love," "You Can't Hurry Love" and "You Keep me Hangin' On." In 1967, the group's name was changed to Diana Ross & the Supremes, and by the end of 1969, Diana had left the group for a solo career.
Solo Work:
Diana's self-titled debut album was released in May 1970 and included her first solo hit, "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)." Over the course of the '70s, she would have a string of hits as both a singer and actress, including 1976's "Love Hangover" and 1979's "Upside Down," as well as songs from movies she starred in: 1975's "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" and the 1978 duet with Michael Jackson, "Ease on Down the Road," from the "Wizard of Oz" remake "The Wiz." She continued to release albums through the 1980s and '90s and is still active today.
In the Movies:
Diana starred in a number of films during the height of her solo career in the 1970s, including Lady Sings the Blues in 1972, 1975's Mahogany and 1978's The Wiz.
In addition to acting in movies herself, the 2006 musical drama Dreamgirls, which is set in the 1960s and '70s, is loosely based on the formation of Motown Records and career of The Supremes. It's based on the autobiography of ex-Supreme Mary Wilson.
In addition to acting in movies herself, the 2006 musical drama Dreamgirls, which is set in the 1960s and '70s, is loosely based on the formation of Motown Records and career of The Supremes. It's based on the autobiography of ex-Supreme Mary Wilson.
Personal:
Diana has been married twice. The first marriage, to her manager Robert Silberstein, lasted from 1971 to 1977. In 1986, she married billionaire Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Næss, Jr. They divorced in 2000.
She has five children, two male and three female. The oldest, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, was born in 1971. Her biological father is Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. She and her half-sister, Tracee Ellis Ross, who was born in 1972, are both actresses.
She has five children, two male and three female. The oldest, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, was born in 1971. Her biological father is Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. She and her half-sister, Tracee Ellis Ross, who was born in 1972, are both actresses.
Awards:
2001: The Supremes' song "Stop! In the Name of Love" was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
1999: The Supremes' song "Where Did Our Love Go" was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
1988: Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Supremes, with Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson.
1999: The Supremes' song "Where Did Our Love Go" was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
1988: Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Supremes, with Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson.