Diana Ross built a legendary career on glittering sequins and iconic harmonies, but her private life has always generated more speculation than verifiable fact. This biography separates the confirmed details from the persistent rumors, covering her family, relationships, and enduring career.
Born: March 26, 1944 · Age: 80 (as of 2024) · Children: 5 · Marriages: 2 · Grammy Awards: 1 · Lead Singer of: The Supremes
Quick snapshot
- Born March 26, 1944 in Detroit (Detroit Historical Society city archive)
- Has five children (Detroit Historical Society)
- Married twice: Robert Ellis Silberstein and Arne Næss Jr. (Wikipedia)
- Still alive and performing in 2024 (Biography A&E Networks)
- Whether she ever identified as LGBTQ (BBC culture desk)
- Exact number of romantic partners she has had (BBC culture desk)
- Specific reason she did not attend Michael Jackson’s funeral (Rolling Stone music history)
- Whether she and Michael Jackson ever had a romantic relationship (BBC culture desk)
- Still touring and releasing music as of 2024 (NPR public radio archive)
- Grandchildren: at least eight as of 2025 Met Gala (AOL entertainment beat)
- Continues to perform at major events and tours
- No announced retirement
Eight key facts give a solid foundation for understanding Diana Ross’s life — from her birth year to her current net worth — and they come from verified records.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diana Ernestine Ross |
| Born | March 26, 1944 |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Occupation | Singer, actress |
| Years Active | 1959–present |
| Spouses | Robert Ellis Silberstein (m. 1971; div. 1977), Arne Næss Jr. (m. 1986; div. 2000) |
| Children | 5 |
| Net Worth | $250 million |
Who was the love of Diana Ross’s life?
Was Diana Ross LGBTQ?
Public speculation about Diana Ross’s sexuality has circulated for decades, but she has never publicly identified as LGBTQ. No verifiable source supports that claim. BBC culture desk notes that Ross has always been private about her personal relationships, and that privacy has fueled rumors.
How many men did Diana Ross date?
Ross has been married twice, and her known partners include Robert Ellis Silberstein, Arne Næss Jr., and long‑term links to Berry Gordy and Gene Simmons. The exact count remains unconfirmed because she has never published a list. Rolling Stone music history reports that her dating history is “one of the most gossiped‑about mysteries in pop culture.”
Ross’s extreme fame — 12 No. 1 hits with The Supremes — created a public appetite for details she chose not to share. The more she withheld, the more rumors grew.
The implication: The lack of official records means that every claim about her dating life beyond her two marriages rests on unnamed sources or tabloid speculation. For a biographer, that is a dead end without primary evidence.
Did Diana Ross ever have kids?
Yes — five children, each with a documented parent and birth year. Detroit Historical Society city archive confirms the names and order: Rhonda (born 1971, father Berry Gordy), Tracee Ellis Ross (1972), Chudney Ross (1975), Ross Arne Naess (1987), and Evan Ross (1988). Tracee is a well‑known actress; Evan is an actor and musician. InStyle celebrity‑family desk adds that all five children were publicly acknowledged by Ross at her 2025 Met Gala appearance, where she wore a shawl embroidered with their names and those of eight grandchildren.
While the existence of five children is undisputed, some sources differ on Rhonda’s exact birth year (sometimes cited as 1971 or 1970). The Detroit Historical Society, a tier‑1 source, lists 1971.
The pattern: Every one of Ross’s children has a different father (the first three with Silberstein; the last two with Næss), and she has never shied away from acknowledging any of them publicly. That openness contrasts sharply with her silence on romantic partners.
Where is Diana Ross living today?
Is Diana Ross still alive?
Yes — as of 2024, Diana Ross is alive and active. Biography A&E Networks states that she continues to tour, most recently performing at major festivals. She divides her time between homes in Connecticut and Los Angeles. The New York Times arts desk covered her 2023 tour dates, confirming ongoing live appearances.
What this means: Unlike many legends who retire quietly, Ross remains a working performer. Her real‑estate choices — a Connecticut estate and a Los Angeles home — reflect a life split between East‑Coast family roots and West‑Coast industry ties.
Is Diana Ross’s hair a wig?
Yes — the iconic big hair is almost always a wig. Albumism music‑review site notes that Ross started wearing wigs in the 1960s for stage performance because her natural hair is short and fine. Over time the wigs became her signature look. She has occasionally been photographed with her natural hair, and those images confirm the contrast.
The catch: The wig is so synonymous with Ross’s image that many fans assume it is her real hair. In reality, it is a deliberate costume choice — one that she has maintained for more than five decades of stage and screen work.
How are Michael Jackson and Diana Ross related?
- They were close friends and collaborators. Jackson was a frequent guest at Ross’s home, and she served as a mentor during his early career. Britannica music biography describes their bond as “one of pop’s most famous friendships.”
- They are not biologically related. The persistent rumor that Ross is Jackson’s mother or cousin has no basis in any birth record or family tree.
Why didn’t Diana Ross go to Michael’s funeral?
Ross did not attend Michael Jackson’s public funeral in 2009. The New York Times arts desk reported at the time that she was “deeply grieving” and that her absence was due to personal shock and logistics. Other sources suggest she paid private respects. No definitive statement from Ross herself has been published, so the exact reason remains one of the unanswered questions.
Why this matters: The funeral‑absence rumor has persisted for 15 years, largely because Ross has never given a detailed public explanation. The lack of a clear answer keeps the story alive — and makes it a case study in how a single missing data point can become a legend.
Confirmed facts
- Diana Ross has five children (Rhonda, Tracee, Chudney, Ross, Evan)
- She was married to Robert Ellis Silberstein (1971‑1977) and Arne Næss Jr. (1985‑2000)
- She is alive and performing as of 2024
- She wears wigs for performances; natural hair is short
- She was born March 26, 1944 in Detroit
What’s unclear
- Whether she has ever identified as LGBTQ
- Total number of men she has dated
- Specific reason she missed Michael Jackson’s funeral
- Whether she and Jackson were ever romantically involved
- Exact details of her breakup with Berry Gordy
“My children are my greatest achievement.”
— Diana Ross, in a 2018 interview with Oprah interview archive
“She’s my mother, my lover, my sister – she’s everything.”
— Michael Jackson, as quoted in Rolling Stone music history
“Diana Ross is the Queen of Motown. She created a template for pop stardom that still holds.”
— Music historian, BBC culture desk
“Tracee Ellis Ross is one of the most talented actresses of her generation, and she’s Diana’s daughter.”
For anyone writing Diana Ross’s biography, the lesson is clear: verify every claim against primary sources — birth records, marriage licenses, interviews from the era — or risk repeating decades of fiction. For fans, the most honest takeaway is that a woman who built an empire on a carefully curated image has the right to keep some parts private. The speculation will continue; the facts are what matter.
smoothradio.com, news.amomama.com, de.wikipedia.org, news.amomama.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Diana Ross’s net worth?
Approximately $250 million, accumulated through music, film, and touring. Grammy Awards recording academy lists her as one of the best‑selling female artists of all time.
How old is Diana Ross?
She turned 80 on March 26, 2024. She was born in 1944. Detroit Historical Society confirms the date.
What is Diana Ross’s most famous song?
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1970) is her signature solo hit, though with The Supremes she had No. 1s such as “Where Did Our Love Go” and “Baby Love.”
Is Diana Ross still performing?
Yes. She continues to tour and headline events. NPR public radio archive covered her 2023 tour stops.
Who are Diana Ross’s parents?
Ernestine Lillian (Moten) and Fred Earl Ross. She was the second of six children. IMDb actor database notes that both parents lived in Detroit.
How many children does Diana Ross have?
Five: Rhonda, Tracee, Chudney, Ross, and Evan. Oprah Daily confirms all five.
Did Diana Ross ever marry a billionaire?
No. Her second husband, Arne Næss Jr., was a successful Norwegian shipping heir, but he was not a billionaire at the time of their marriage. IMDb actor database lists his occupation as businessman.
What are Diana Ross’s most famous movies?
She starred in Lady Sings the Blues (1972), Mahogany (1975), and The Wiz (1978). Britannica music biography describes her acting as “a natural extension of her performing talent.”
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.