Happy Birthday,Diana Ross!
The musical icon turns 82 on March 26, 2026 and marks the milestone with an incredible life and career to celebrate — and so much more to go. She's still touring, has plans to display her decades of fashion and also is just Grandma to eight grandchildren.
Celebrate Diana Ross by taking a look back on her amazing life and career in photos.
1960s: Diana Ross's Early Years
Diana Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit to Ernestine and Fred Ross, Sr.
1961: Starting Out with The Primettes
When she was just 15 years old, the singer joined her first singing group alongside Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Betty McGlown (later replaced by Barbara Martin). Known as The Primettes, the group was the female equivalent of the male singing group, The Primes.
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.
1961: Meet the Supremes
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.
1963: Supreme Success
The group had 10 No. 1 hits from the years 1964 to 1967, including "Where Did Our Love Go," "You Can't Hurry Love," "Baby Love," "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "You Keep Me Hangin' On."
1965: Relationship with Berry Gordy
In 1965, Ross began a romantic relationship with music producer Berry Gordy; the pair share daughter Rhonda, who was born in 1971.
1960s: The Supremes Making Hits
The group went on an international tour in 1966, capitalizing on their growing fame.
1968: The Supremes Meet Royalty
In 1968, the group — who experienced a big shakeup the year prior when Florence Ballard was replaced by Cindy Birdsong — sang at the Royal Variety in London. At the time, they had changed their name from simply the Supremes to Diana Ross and the Supremes, making Ross the leader of the pack.
1968: The Supremes and The Temptations
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.
1969: Diana Ross in 'G.I.T.' on Broadway
The groups performed together in the 1969 television specialG.I.T. on Broadway —which stood for Gettin' It Together.
1969: Diana Ross Leaves the Supremes
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!
1971: Diana Ross Marries Robert Ellis Silberstein
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.
1972: Diana Ross in 'Lady Sings the Blues'
Ross earned a starring role in the 1972 Billie Holiday biopic,Lady Sings the Blues.
1973: And the Oscar Goes to ...
Ross's performance inLady Sings the Bluesearned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
1974: Diana Ross Co-Hosts the Oscars
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.
1975: Divas Galore
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)."
In 1976, Ross's two-week residency at Broadway's Palace Theatre became an Emmy-nominated TV specialandearned a special Tony Award.
Pictured: Ross with Cher and Elton John in 1975.
1978: Starring in 'The Wiz'
In 1978, Ross eased on down the road and onto the set ofThe Wiz,playing Dorothy alongside Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross.
1980: Disco Queen
In 1980, Ross made the pivot, like so many other artists, to embrace the disco era. Pictured, she lets loose at Studio54.
1980: Dating Gene Simmons
From 1980 to 1983, Ross dated KISS frontman Gene Simmons.
1980: The Release of 'Diana'
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
We have "Endless Love" for the iconic duet by Lional Richie and Ross, which was the theme for the filmIt's My Turn.
1982: Superstar at the Super Bowl
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.
1980s: Record Success
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.
1986: Marrying Arne Naess Jr.
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.
1988: Hall of Famer
In 1988, The Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1991: Performing for Royalty
In 1991, Ross returned to London and the Royal Variety, this time solo.
1993: Singing at the Inauguration
Ross performed at President Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration. That same year, she made a return to acting and earned her third Golden Globe nomination for her role in the TV filmOut of Darkness.
1996: Performing with RuPaul
Ross collaborated with RuPaul when they strutted their stuff in the music video for Ross's cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive."
2000: Supremes Reunion Tour
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.
2000: A Turbulent Early 2000s
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, she wasarrested for driving under the influencein Tucson, Arizona.
2001: Attending the Met Gala
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.
2012: Winning a Grammy
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.
2016: Getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom
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."
2017: A Lifetime of Achievement
In 2017, Ross's entire family was present to celebrate her as she accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Music Awards.
2019: 'Vanity Fair' Afterparty
In 2019, Ross attended theVanity FairOscars Party with her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, son Evan Ross and daughter-in-law Ashlee Simpson Ross.
2019: Reunited with Berry Gordy
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."
2019: Celebrating Her 75th Birthday
In 2019, Rosscelebrated her 75th birthday in true diva style: by performing at the Grammys. Ross sang two songs for the occasion, "The Best Years of My Life" and "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)."
She ended her performance by saying, "Learn, dream, unlock new doors. All is possible."
2025: Diana Ross Today
If you think Ross is going to hang up her elaborate gowns anytime soon, think again.
During a sold-out show at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn in early 2025, the legendary diva told the audience about her plans to keep working for the foreseeable future.
"I'll never retire," said Ross, according to theNew York Post. Iconic.
Diana Ross Today
While on tour in 2025, Ross made a stop at the Met Gala (where the theme was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style") on the arm of her son Evan, and wearing a slinky silver gown accompanied by a feather-trimmed wrap embroidered with the names of her children and grandchildren. Shetook a photo in the gown with her whole familyfor a memorable look at her legacy.
At 86, Ross is still touring (she just sold out a South Florida show), performing on TV (she rang in 2026 on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest) and planning an archive of her legendary style.
Her priorities? "Health and well-being,"she told PEOPLE in 2025. "And my family is equally everything to me. I like staying busy. ... The love of what I do keeps me grounded, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. When you can't find the sunshine,bethe sunshine. My most current album is calledThank Youand all the songs came from my heart in a positive place. I have been very blessed in my life. I love what I do. I love my family. I love my life. I'm a happy person."
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