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Diane from Detroit -

Diana Ross was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 26, 1944. She was the second-eldest of six children. Ross was originally supposed to be called Diane, but an error on her birth certificate led to her being legally named Diana. Her family still called her Diane anyway!

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The Primettes -

When she was young, Ross was interested in fashion design and wanted to pursue a career in that area. However, she started singing with some neighborhood friends as a teenager, which took her on a different path. She formed a group called the Primettes with Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Barbara Martin.

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The Supremes -

They caught the eye of a Motown Records executive and were officially signed by founder Berry Gordy in 1961. Barbara Martin dropped out of the group, making them a trio, and they changed their name to the Supremes.

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Growing success -

They released their first single in 1962, ‘When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes,’ which got to number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their profile grew, and they even collaborated with Sammy Davis Jr. on a TV special.

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Hit after hit -

Over the next few years, the Supremes would release 12 number one hits and become one of the most popular Motown groups around. Their first number one song was ‘Where Did Our Love Go?’

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A romance under the radar -

In 1965, Ross developed a romantic relationship with Berry Gordy. They kept working together and carried on their relationship in private for several years.

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Trouble in paradise -

Despite the band’s meteoric success, life wasn’t easy for Ross. There was tension in the band, particularly with Florence Ballard, who sang lead vocals on many of their songs. Ballard was struggling with alcohol dependency and was unhappy with the grueling work schedule.

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Stress and disordered eating -

This was a difficult time that Ross described in her 1993 memoir ‘Secrets of a Sparrow.’ She revealed that she suffered from anorexia during this period, which she attributed to the pressure she was put under by Motown Records and Berry Gordy.

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Ross steps up -

In 1967, the issues in the band finally came to a head. Florence Ballard left the Supremes and was replaced by Cindy Birdsong. Without Ballard’s influence, Ross became the definitive lead vocalist of the group. This made her even more of a star than she already was.

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The hits keep on coming -

The Supremes even changed their name to Diana Ross and the Supremes. The group continued to light up the charts with Ross as the leader, with hits like ‘Love Child’ and 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me.’ They also pulled off a successful collaboration with another Motown hit group called the Temptations.

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'Tarzan' -

In 1968, Ross and the other Supremes had their first taste of acting when they guest starred as three nuns on the TV series ‘Tarzan.’

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The end of an era -

Sadly, 1969 saw the end of the Supremes. Each member seemed to be trying to convey more individualism, and they were no longer performing in matching dresses. Ross decided to leave the group to pursue her independence as an artist.

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Going solo -

The band members each went their separate ways, and Ross embarked on what would be a phenomenally successful solo career. She released her first album, entitled ‘Diana Ross,’ in 1970, and it was a smash hit. Her version of ‘Ain't No Mountain High Enough’ is still a favorite to this day.

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Marriage to Robert Ellis Silberstein -

By 1971, Ross had been in an on-again, off-again relationship with Berry Gordy for six years. She decided to leave him and quickly married her business manager, Robert Ellis Silberstein.

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Ross' first child - Seven months later, Ross gave birth to her first child, a daughter called Rhonda. It was later revealed that Berry Gordy was actually Rhonda’s biological father, although she was raised by Silberstein as one of his own. Ross waited to tell Rhonda about her father until she was 13 years old.

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‘Lady Sings the Blues' (1972) -

In 1972, Ross played the starring role of Billie Holiday in the hit movie ‘Lady Sings the Blues.’ She was nominated for an Oscar for her performance, but she was beaten to the post by Liza Minnelli for her performance in ‘Cabaret.’

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Growing family -

Over the next few years, Ross grew her family with Robert Ellis Silberstein. She gave birth to her daughter Tracee, now a famous actress, in 1972, and their youngest daughter Chudney in 1975.

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A disco icon -

Throughout the '70s, Ross solidified herself as one of the best female singers and biggest disco icons of the era. Her impressive transition from Motown girl to disco diva appeared to be natural and seamless.

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A fashion icon -

Style and celebrity image were huge during the disco era, and Ross’ flare for fashion furthered her status as a true icon. She never disappointed on the red carpet or the stage, always appearing in elaborate, glamorous ensembles.

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Divorce -

In 1977, Ross and Silberstein filed for divorce after six years of marriage. Ross would go on to date Gene Simmons from the band Kiss for a few years in the 1980s, but it would be many years before she would marry again.

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'The Wiz' (1978) -

In 1978, Ross starred as Dorothy in Universal’s iconic reimagining of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ entitled ‘The Wiz.’ She appeared alongside Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.

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A new decade, a new Diana -

By 1980, disco was dying, but Ross managed to pivot for the third time into the third decade of her career. She released the groundbreaking album ‘Diana,’ which went platinum. It included the timeless song ‘I’m Coming Out.’

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A Super Bowl first -

In 1982, Ross was invited to sing the national anthem at the opening of that year’s Super Bowl. This might not sound like a big deal, but she was the first pop star ever to be given the honor. Nowadays, the biggest names in the industry sing it every year.

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Second marriage -

In 1986, Ross found love again. She married Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Naess Jr. while wearing a stunning satin and lace dress. She went on to have two more children in the following years: Ross and Evan.

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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame -

In 1988, Ross was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. However, she was being recognized for her work as the lead singer of the Supremes, not for her solo career.

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A record-breaking star -

Regardless, Ross was still at the top of her game. She gave an incredible performance at Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, and was named the most successful female singer in the world by Guinness World Records.

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Hard times -

Sadly, Ross hit a rough patch a few years later. She was struggling with substance abuse issues, got divorced from Naess Jr., and ran afoul of the law twice within a couple of years. On one occasion, she had an altercation with a security guard at an airport, and on the other, she was charged with a DUI while she was supposed to be receiving treatment at a rehabilitation center.

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'Dreamgirls' (2006) -

Ross managed to get back on track and continued to perform, tour, and receive praise for her incredible career. In 2006, the movie ‘Dreamgirls’ was released. Although the movie was fictional, it was certainly inspired by the story of the Supremes. Beyoncé played the role most closely associated with Diana Ross’ real life.

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The Grammy -

In 2012, after more than 50 years of hit-making, Ross nabbed her first Grammy. The then-68-year-old was given the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Presidential Medal of Freedom -

In 2016, Ross was recognized for her contribution to the arts with a presidential honor from Barack Obama. He gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor a civilian can receive.

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A lifetime of achievements -

In 2017, Ross received yet another lifetime achievement award, this time at the American Music Awards. She was joined on stage by the many members of her loving family. 

Sources: (Britannica) (Harper's Bazaar) (TV Overmind)

See also: Remembering the queens of disco in all their glory

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