This great diva from the American music has an estimated net worth of $250 million. She was born in Detroit, Michigan (USA) on March 26th, 1944. Daughter of a white member of the United States Army and a black teacher from Bessemer, Alabama. The family settled for a brief period in Alabama because her mother was ill.
The family returned to Detroit when Diana was 14 years old. Ross aspired in her teens to become a fashion designer, so she enrolled in the Cass Technical High School.
The Supremes (1959-1970).
In 1959, at age 15, she joined her neighbors Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Betty McGlown to form the local quartet known as The Primettes, who acted as the opening act of The Primes (later called The Temptations).
In 1961, they signed a contract with the label Motown Records, and Betty McGlown was replaced by Barbara Martin. The group was relaunched under the name of The Supremes. In 1962, Barbara left the quartet, turning it into a trio. The record company delegate, Berry Gordy, made Diana the leader of the musical group. Between August of 1964 and May of 1967, the trio got that ten of its singles arrived at # 1 on Billboard Hot 100.
The Supremes’ success.
The Supremes, under Diana Ross’ leadership, achieved twelve major hits in the United States, including “Where Did Our Love Go”, “Baby Love” and “You Cannot Hurry Love.” Thus, they became the second most successful English-speaking musical ensemble during the 60s, after the Beatles. In 1969, Diana decided to leave the group. She last performed as a member of the trio in January 1970 and was vacated by several singers.
1970-1978.
In May 1970, with the music producers Ashford & Simpson’s support, she released her first solo album, entitled Diana Ross. The first single of this production was the gospel song “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)”, which reached the position number 20 on Billboard Hot 100. The second single was a version of the song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, she had an international success, and this would be the first one released solo to reach the position # 1 on the pop lists.
1979-1987.
In 1979, Ross met with Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson for the release of The Boss, which was certified as “gold record” by the RIAA. In 1980, she released Diana, her first album certified as “platinum record” by the RIAA.
During the 80s, Diana Ross released several albums. The albums she released in these years were All the Great Hits, which it was certified as “golden record” by RIAA, Silk Electric, Diana Ross Anthology and Swept Away. In 1987, she published Red Hot Rhythm & Blues, which received very good reviews, but it was not a commercial success, and If We Hold on Together. In 1989, Diana returned to Motown.
Non-musical projects.
Ross debuted on cinema in 1972 in the film Lady Sings the Blues, where she portrayed the singer Billie Holiday, under the direction of Sidney J. Furie. In 1977, with Lena Horne, Richard Pryor, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross and her friend Michael Jackson, she performed the film version of the musical play The Wiz, which was based on the film The Wizard of Oz. The musical received negative reviews from various sources. Ross resumed her career as an actress in the 1990s, starring in television credits: Out of Darkness, 1994, and Double Platinum, 1999.
