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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Inside Diana Ross' life - age-defying looks, five kids and epic return to the spotlight

Diana Ross needs no introduction.

With her soulful voice, stellar career and breathtaking beauty, the 78-year-old can officially be called an icon.

Shifting more than 100 million albums both as a member of the Motown group, The Supremes, and as a solo artist, the mum-of-five has come a long way from Detroit.

As she prepares to step back into the spotlight for the Queen's Jubilee and Glastonbury concerts, we take a look at the star's extraordinary life.

Incredible career

Diana shot to fame as the lead singer of the girl group The Supremes, which became Motown's most successful act in the 1960s, and one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.

The Supremes were one of the world's biggest selling girl groups (Getty Images)

The trio racked up a number of toe-tapping hits including Baby Love and Where Did Our Love Go?

But Diana wanted a bigger stage and more space on it and quit the group in 1970 to embark on a solo career.

And that's when things really took off.

Her debut solo album featured the number one single Ain't No Mountain High Enough.

The star then went on to bag a number of top 10 hits with tracks including My Endless Love and Chain Reaction.

She has, in total, more than 70 top songs under her belt.

Stunning! (Redferns)
She did all her own make-up, according to daughter Tracee (Getty Images)

As proof of her incredible longevity, The Guinness Book of World Records recognises Diana as the greatest female artist in US and UK chart history.

Family life

Diana is a proud mum of five.

The star has three daughters Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Ross, with her first husband, Robert Ellis Silberstein, and Rhonda Ross Kendrick with record exec Berry Gordy.

The singer married Robert in 1971 before the couple divorced.

Diana then married Arne Naess, Jr. with whom she shares sons Evan Ross and Ross Naess.

She has eight grandkids! (WireImage)

The couple split in 2000, but the Baby Love star's family was about to expand.

Fast forward 20 years and Diana has eight grandchildren.

Her eldest grandson is actually a step-grandson after her son Evan married singer Ashlee Simpson in 2014.

Ashlee already had a son, Bronx, 12, from her relationship with Pete Wentz.

She and Evan now share a daughter, Jagger, 6 who was born in 2015.

Announcing the tot's arrival on Instagram, the proud dad gushed: “We are overjoyed about the birth of our precious baby girl.”

Age-defying looks

“It takes a long time to get to be a diva,” Diana once said.

And the star has certainly earned that title - in the best way.

While in high school, she enrolled in cosmetology school, practising hairstyles on herself as well as taking on neighbours as clients.

Breathtaking! (Getty Images)
A vision in red (Getty Images)

But it was when she became the lead singer of The Supremes that her signature look - beautifully bouncy barnet and doe-eyed lashes - hit new heights.

“My mom does all her own hair and make-up, and always has,” her daughter, Tracee told the Huffington Post.

“Eyelashes, the whole deal — she does it herself.”

At 78, Diana looks decades younger than her age.

Constantly asked for her skincare secrets, she once said: “I never like to think of myself as beautiful."

She is, of course, undeniably beautiful and seems to be getting better as time goes by.

Stepping back into the spotlight

Diana will lead the line-up for the BBC ’s Platinum Party At The Palace concert to celebration the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

The extravaganza will feature three stages, 3D projections across the face of the palace and an in-person audience of 10,000 - who are all no doubt eager to catch a glimpse of Ms Ross.

A true icon (Getty Images)

The star will then head to Glastonbury on June 26 where welly-wearing fans can enjoy a spectacular showcase.

Confirming the news, the legend said: "I’m so excited and grateful to finally know, that I’ll be seeing you at Glastonbury while on my UK Thank U Tour celebrating my new album of songs."

As she gets ready to release even more new music, fans will no doubt be thanking Diana - a supreme star.

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