Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Diana Ernestine Earle Ross |
| Born | March 26, 1944 |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Occupation | Singer, actress, producer, cultural icon |
| Active years | 1959–present |
| Vital status | As of September 2025, widely reported to be alive and still performing |
| Age | 81 |
| Children | Rhonda Ross Kendrick; Tracee Ellis Ross; Chudney Ross; Ross Arne Næss; Evan Ross |
| Marriages | Robert Ellis Silberstein (m. 1971–1977); Arne Næss Jr. (m. 1986–2000; d. 2004) |
| Notable honors | Kennedy Center Honors (2007); Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2012); Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016); Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (with The Supremes, 1988) |
| Estimated net worth | Approximately $250 million (public estimates) |
Vital Status and Recent Presence
Is Diana Ross Still Alive? As of September 2025, the answer is yes—by all public indications, the legendary performer remains very much with us, and she continues to appear on stages that glow brighter when she steps into the light. Over the last several years she has kept an active calendar, added new dates, and made high-visibility appearances, a testament to the stamina and showmanship that have characterized her career since the Motown era.
Even at 81, Ross emanates command: a stage general in sequins whose tempo never wavers. In 2022 she performed for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, reminding millions that some voices—crystal, resilient, unmistakable—do not fade with time.
From Detroit Dreams to Global Stardom
- 1944–1959: Born and raised in Detroit, Ross came of age in the Brewster-Douglass housing projects, a crucible of ambition and artistry. In 1959 she co-founded The Primettes with friends Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard.
- 1960–1970: Renamed The Supremes and signed to Motown, they became America’s most successful girl group. The Supremes notched a dozen No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including Baby Love, Stop! In the Name of Love, and You Can’t Hurry Love.
- 1970s: Ross launched a solo career with instant impact. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Touch Me in the Morning, Love Hangover, and Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To) all hit No. 1. On screen, she earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination for portraying Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues (1972) and starred in Mahogany (1975) and The Wiz (1978).
- 1980s–1990s: Upside Down dominated clubs and radio in 1980, and her blockbuster duet Endless Love with Lionel Richie reigned at No. 1 in 1981. She continued touring globally and, in 1983, braved a thunderstorm at a Central Park concert that drew hundreds of thousands—one of the defining live moments in pop music history.
- 2000s–2010s: Honors poured in: The Supremes’ 1988 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame underscored the group’s legacy; the Kennedy Center Honors (2007) and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2012) recognized Ross’s singular path. In 2016, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- 2020s: Ross released Thank You, her first studio album of original material in many years, and returned to major stages, reaffirming a bond with audiences that spans six decades.
Family Tree: A Close-Knit Dynasty
Diana Ross’s family is both a heartbeat and a chorus—a multigenerational constellation of artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
| Family Member | Relation | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Rhonda Ross Kendrick (b. 1971) | Daughter | Father is Motown founder Berry Gordy. Married to jazz musician Rodney Kendrick; they have one son, Raif-Henok (b. 2009). Singer, actress, and motivational performer. |
| Tracee Ellis Ross (b. 1972) | Daughter | Father is Robert Ellis Silberstein. Award-winning actress known for Black-ish and founder of Pattern Beauty. |
| Chudney Ross (b. 1975) | Daughter | Father is Robert Ellis Silberstein. Producer, author, entrepreneur. Married Joshua Faulkner (2015); daughters Callaway (2012) and Everlee (2019). |
| Ross Arne Næss (b. 1987) | Son | Father is Norwegian businessman and mountaineer Arne Næss Jr. Filmmaker and producer; married Kimberly Ryan (2017); children include Leif (2016) and Indigo (2017). |
| Evan Ross (b. 1988) | Son | Father is Arne Næss Jr. Actor and musician. Married to Ashlee Simpson (2014); children Jagger Snow (2015) and Ziggy Blu (2020); stepfather to Bronx. |
Two relationships shaped Ross’s family life. She married music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein in 1971, and later wed shipping magnate and climber Arne Næss Jr. in 1986. Næss died in 2004 following a climbing accident, and his spirit of adventure lives on in their sons. Ross also shares a historic bond with Berry Gordy, father of her eldest, Rhonda—an interwoven personal and professional lineage that helped define the sound of American pop.
Milestones and Metrics
| Year | Milestone | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1964–1969 | 12 U.S. No. 1 hits with The Supremes | Record-setting run for an American vocal group |
| 1970 | Solo debut tops charts | Ain’t No Mountain High Enough becomes a signature |
| 1972 | Best Actress Oscar nomination | Lady Sings the Blues |
| 1975–1981 | Multiple No. 1 singles | Includes Love Hangover, Mahogany theme, Upside Down, Endless Love (duet) |
| 1983 | Central Park concert | Historic rain-swept performance |
| 1988 | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | Inducted with The Supremes |
| 2007 | Kennedy Center Honors | Lifetime artistic achievement |
| 2012 | Grammy Lifetime Achievement | Career-spanning recognition |
| 2016 | Presidential Medal of Freedom | Nation’s highest civilian honor |
| 2021 | Thank You album | Return to original material and Top 10 in the UK |
Beyond trophies and tallies, the numbers tell a story of endurance: more than 100 million records sold worldwide across group and solo recordings; chart action in every decade from the 1960s onward; and a global touring footprint that stretches from London’s O2 to Tokyo’s Budokan.
Sound, Style, and Staying Power
Ross’s voice is a study in elegant clarity—silver thread rather than brass bell, designed to slice cleanly through dense arrangements. That tone, paired with the storytelling of Motown’s greatest composers and the reinventions of disco and contemporary pop, gave her catalog unusual agility. On stage, the choreography and gowns shimmer, but it is the phrasing, the ease with silence and breath, that make a chorus feel like a confidante’s whisper.
Her image—architected in part with designers like Bob Mackie—helped rewrite the visual grammar of pop divadom: high glamour as armor and art. Yet the through line is work. Decade after decade, she showed up, refined, and delivered, turning ambition into architecture.
Wealth, Business, and Philanthropy
Public estimates place her net worth around $250 million, a composite of royalties, touring, licensing, and real estate. The catalog—Supremes and solo—remains evergreen, feeding streaming-era discovery and sync opportunities. Ross has also championed charitable causes, notably those benefiting children and health initiatives, often lending her presence and platform to amplify impact.
2024–2025: The Ongoing Encore
Reports and public appearances across 2024 and into 2025 show Ross maintaining an active live schedule, with packed houses and multi-generational audiences. Occasional date adjustments have surfaced—as they do for most touring artists—but the broader arc remains unmistakable: an artist who, well into her eighth decade, still treats the stage as home.
FAQ
Is Diana Ross Still Alive in 2025?
Yes. As of September 2025, she is widely reported to be alive and continues to make public and performance appearances.
How old is Diana Ross now?
She turned 81 on March 26, 2025.
Who are Diana Ross’s children?
She has five children: Rhonda, Tracee, Chudney, Ross, and Evan.
Who is Rhonda Ross’s father?
Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, is Rhonda Ross’s biological father.
Was Diana Ross married to Arne Næss Jr.?
Yes; they were married from 1986 to 2000, and he died in 2004.
What are some of Diana Ross’s biggest hits?
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Love Hangover, Upside Down, theme from Mahogany, and Endless Love (with Lionel Richie) are among her biggest.
What major awards has Diana Ross received?
Highlights include the Kennedy Center Honors, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction with The Supremes.
What is Diana Ross’s estimated net worth?
Public estimates place it around $250 million, reflecting decades of music, film, touring, and business ventures.