Diana Ross

She and The Supremes had appeared on "Toast of the Town" (1948) (aka "The Ed Sullivan Show") 17 times from 1964-1969.

In 1972 she and Cicely Tyson were both nominated for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" Oscars. This was only the second time in the history of the Academy Awards that African-American actresses were nominated in the "Best Actress" Oscar category. The first was Dorothy Dandridge's nomination for Carmen Jones (1954).

A member of The Supremes from 15 January 1961 - 14 January 1970.

The Supremes once co-hosted "The Mike Douglas Show" (1961).

Graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1962

Is the most successful female recording artist ever with 18 US #1 hits and 70 top 10 hits since 1964

In January 1965 Music Business Magazine named The Supremes the #1 Female Soul Artist.

In January 1967 The Supremes was voted #1 by the readers of Playboy Magazine.

On November 8, 1969, she announced that she was leaving The Supremes in order to pursue a solo career, but the last Supremes concert with Ross was played on January 14, 1970, at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mother of Rhonda Ross Kendrick ( with Berry Gordy but raised as Robert Silberstein's daughter because Diana married Robert in Jan 1971 before Rhonda's birth ),. From her marriage to Robert Ellis Silberstein, she has daughters Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Ross (b. 4 November 1975). With her second 16-year marriage to Norwegian shipping millionaire Arne Naess Jr, she has sons Ross Naess (b. 7 October 1987) and Evan Ross (b. 26 August 1988).

Intended to call her third daughter (born in 1975) "Chutney", yet misspelled the name as "Chudney" on the birth certificate.

Sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in 1982

In 1983 introduced a line of pantyhose "Diana Ross Ultra Sheers"

Performed a memorable free concert through a terrible storm in New York City's Central Park in the summer of 1983. The storm caused much damage to the park, and she agreed to pony up the costs of repair a few years later.

Renewed vows with now-ex-husband Arne Naess Jr. on 1 February 1986 in Switzerland.

Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of The Supremes) in 1988.

Is portrayed by Holly Robinson Peete in The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) (TV).

Was honoured by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1993 as the most successful female singer of all time.

Received the Lifetime Achievement Award from MIDEM in 1994

Performed the half-time show on Super Bowl in 1996

Brother Arthur was murdered in Detroit in 1996.

23 September 1999 - Arrested for grabbing an airport security guard's breast, whom she claimed touched her breast while she was being frisked after setting off an airport metal detector.

Received the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Walk of Fame Award on October 23, 1999

Received a 2000 Heroes Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). The award was the highest distinction bestowed by the New York Chapter.

Daughter Tracee Ellis Ross is best known to the public for her starring role as "Joan Clayton" on "Girlfriends" (2000).

10 days after the terrorist attack (9-11), she sang, "God Bless America", at Shea Stadium in New York City, New York. [21 September 2001]

Her 1981 song "I'm Coming Out" was used in The Princess Diaries (2001) trailer and in the Maid in Manhattan (2002) soundtrack, which was revived by Ameriie.

Entered Malibu, CA drug and alcohol rehab Promises center May 20, 2002 prior to start of global summer tour.

Ranked #86 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists in 2002.

When interviewed on the TV show "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002), she explained that her hit song, "Missing You", was in memory of her good friend, Marvin Gaye.

Inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Foundation as a member of The Supremes on February 21, 2003.

Has won the Legendary Female award from the Capitol Gold Legends Award (2003).

Her ex-husband, Arne Naess Jr., died on 13th January, 2004 in a climbing accident in South Africa.

February 2004 - Sentenced to two days in jail, 36 hours of counseling, and one year probation after a no-contest plea for driving under the influence in Tucson, Arizona, in 2002.

Her father, Fred Ross, passed away November 20, 2007 at the age of 87.

Recipient of the 2007 Kennedy Center Honors. Other recipients that year were Leon Fleisher, Steve Martin, Martin Scorsese, and Brian Wilson.

The Supremes were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.