Diana Ross is one of the most iconic and influential singers of all time, with a career spanning over six decades and countless awards and accolades. She rose to fame as the lead singer of the Supremes, the best-selling girl group in history, and then embarked on a successful solo career that saw her conquer various genres, from pop and soul to disco and jazz. She also ventured into acting, earning an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues. But how much is Diana Ross worth today? And what are the sources of her wealth? In this article, we will explore Diana Ross’s net worth, as well as some facts about her life and career.
Diana Ross Net Worth: $250 Million
Diana Ross has an estimated net worth of $250 million as of September 2023. This makes her one of the richest singers in the world, ranking 45th on the list of the 50 richest singers by Wealthy Gorilla. Her net worth has been enhanced by various record label deals over the years, including a contract with RCA Records worth $20 million in 1981. She also owns several properties around the world, such as a mansion in Greenwich, Connecticut, a penthouse in New York City, and a villa in Switzerland.
How Diana Ross Made Her Money
Diana Ross’s main source of income has been her music career, which has been remarkably prolific and diverse. She has sold over 100 million records worldwide, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Supremes. She has also had 18 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her the most successful female artist in history. She has won numerous awards for her music, including 12 Grammy Awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Diana Ross has also made money from her acting career, which began in the early 1970s. She starred in several films, such as Lady Sings the Blues (1972), Mahogany (1975), The Wiz (1978), and Out of Darkness (1994). She earned critical acclaim and recognition for her performances, especially for her role as Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also appeared on television shows, such as The Jacksons (1976), The Muppets Show (1980), and American Dreams (2003).
Diana Ross has also earned money from other ventures, such as endorsements, merchandising, and licensing. She has endorsed various brands and products over the years, such as Lux soap, Anheuser-Busch beer, Caesars Palace casino, and American Express credit cards. She has also launched her own perfume line called Diamond Diana in 2017. She has also licensed her name and image to various projects, such as books, documentaries, musicals, and video games.
Diana Ross’s Life and Career
Diana Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in a poor but musical family and developed an interest in singing at an early age. She attended Cass Technical High School, where she studied clothing design and tailoring. She also joined a vocal group called The Primettes with her friends Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Betty McGlown.
The Primettes auditioned for Motown Records in 1960 and were signed by founder Berry Gordy Jr., who changed their name to The Supremes. The group became one of the most successful acts in Motown history, releasing hit songs such as “Where Did Our Love Go”, “Baby Love”, “Stop! In the Name of Love”, “You Can’t Hurry Love”, and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”. Diana Ross became the lead singer and the face of the group, attracting attention for her distinctive voice and glamorous style.
In 1970, Diana Ross left The Supremes to pursue a solo career. Her debut solo album Diana Ross (1970) was a huge success, featuring songs like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)”. She continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, such as Touch Me in the Morning (1973), Diana (1980), and Swept Away (1984). She also collaborated with other artists, such as Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, and Julio Iglesias. Some of her most popular songs from this period include “I’m Coming Out”, “Upside Down”, “Endless Love”, and “Chain Reaction”1.
Diana Ross also expanded her musical horizons, exploring different genres and styles. He recorded a jazz album called Lady Sings the Blues (1972), which was the soundtrack to the film of the same name. She also embraced disco music, releasing albums such as The Boss (1979) and Diana (1980), which were produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic. She also experimented with pop, rock, R&B, and soul music, releasing albums such as Eaten Alive (1985), Red Hot Rhythm & Blues (1987), and The Force Behind the Power [1991].
Diana Ross has remained active in the music industry in the 1990s and 2000s, releasing albums such as Take Me Higher (1995), Every Day Is a New Day (1999), I Love You (2006), and Thank You (2021). She has also performed live in various concerts and tours, such as the Return to Love Tour (2000), the I Love You Tour (2007), and the Diamond Diana Tour (2019). She has also headlined major events, such as the Super Bowl XXX halftime show (1996), the Nobel Peace Prize Concert (2008), and the Glastonbury Festival (2020).
Diana Ross has also been involved in various humanitarian and philanthropic causes, such as UNICEF, AIDS research, hunger relief, and education. She has also been honored with various awards and recognitions, such as the Kennedy Center Honors (2007), the BET Lifetime Achievement Award (2007), and the American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement (2017).
Diana Ross has been married twice and has five children. Her first husband was music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, whom she married in 1971 and divorced in 1977. They have two daughters, Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Ross. Her second husband was Norwegian businessman Arne Naess Jr., whom she married in 1985 and divorced in 2000. They have two sons, Ross Naess and Evan Ross. Diana Ross also has a daughter, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, from a previous relationship with Berry Gordy Jr.
FAQs
How old is Diana Ross?
Diana Ross is 79 years old as of September 2023. She was born on March 26, 1944.
How many Grammys does Diana Ross have?
Diana Ross has won 12 Grammy Awards in her career. She has also received three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Grammy Legend Award.
How many children does Diana Ross have?
Diana Ross has five children from two marriages and one previous relationship. She has three daughters: Tracee Ellis Ross, Chudney Ross, and Rhonda Ross Kendrick; and two sons: Ross Naess and Evan Ross.
Is Diana Ross still singing?
Yes, Diana Ross is still singing. She released her latest album Thank You in July 2021. She is also planning to resume her Diamond Diana Tour in 2022 after it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who are Diana Ross’s parents?
Diana Ross’s parents are Ernestine Moten and Fred Ross Sr. They were both African American and worked as teachers in Detroit, Michigan. They had six children: Arthur “T-Boy” Ross, Rita Ross, Wilbert “Ninja” Ross, Barbara “Chico” Ross, Fred “Freddy” Ross Jr., and Diana Ernestine Earle Ross.