Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, actress, record producer and an occasional songwriter. Born and raised in Detroit, she rose to fame as a founding member and lead singer of the vocal group The Supremes, which, during the 1960s, became Motown's most successful act and is to this day America's most successful vocal group. As part of the Supremes, Ross most notably rivalled the career of The Beatles in worldwide popularity, and their success made it possible for future African American R&B and soul acts to find mainstream success. Following her departure from The Supremes in 1970, Ross released her debut solo album, Diana Ross, which contained the hits "Reach Out and Touch" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Ross also ventured into acting, with a Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nominated performance in Lady Sings the Blues. She also starred in two other feature films, Mahogany and The Wiz; later acting included roles in the television films Out of Darkness and Double Platinum. Beside ventures in Broadway, Ross was named the "Female Entertainer of the Century" by Billboard magazine. 

March 26th, 1944 in Detroit (Age 81)