With an exceptional career spanning over six decades, Diana Ross is one of the most influential female artists.
The many years of work in show business earned the American singer and actress a massive fanbase, so it’s only natural that people get curious about her life beyond the stage and screen.
Diana Ross experienced sweeping success as a solo artist, a member of a singing group, and an actress. Getting into the entertainment industry as a teenager, fans aren’t surprised at her tremendous fortune.
They are, however, wondering just how much money Diana amassed over all this time.
Today, I’m diving into professional and personal aspects of her life to estimate Diana Ross’s net worth, uncover her income streams, and more.
What Was Diana Ross’s Background Like?
Kicking off her career in 1959, Diana Ross started singing when she was only 15.
Born on the 26th of March 1944, the now 80-year-old entertainer has been in the show business for over 60 years. Her mother meant to name her Diane, but thanks to a mishap while filling out the birth certificate, Diana was the name chosen by destiny.
Diana lived the first seven years of her life in Detroit, Michigan. She was the second oldest of six children (three girls and three boys), born to Ernestine and Fred Ross Sr.
When Diana was about seven years old, her mother fell sick with tuberculosis, so her parents decided to send her and her siblings to stay with Ernestine’s parents. Diana’s grandparents lived on her mother’s side in Bessemer, Alabama.
Thankfully, her mother recovered after a while, and the siblings were reunited with their parents in Detroit. At 14, Diana’s family moved to St. Antoine Street, where she enrolled in Cass Technical High School.
Diana then wanted to become a fashion designer, so her studies focused on classes like clothing design, tailoring, and pattern making. She worked as a bus girl in Hudson’s downtown branch (the first African American) and graduated in 1962.
How Did Diana Ross Begin Her Road to Fortune?
In 1959, when Ross was 15, she became part of the music group the Primettes after being introduced by Paul Williams (member of the Primes) to Milton Jenkins, the group’s music manager.
In 1960, Diana and her group won a talent competition in Canada, catching the attention of Robert Bateman, who invited them to a Motown Records audition.
The Primettes had a series of successful performances at live events, which encouraged Diana to talk to Willaim “Smokey” Robinson about auditioning for Motown.
After making a deal where she traded her guitarist for the opportunity, Diana’s group auditioned for Motown. It stunned the executives, who advised them to finish high school before signing with them.
The Primettes remained determined and returned to Motown’s HQ daily to assist in recordings, often background vocals, hand claps, and finger snaps.
Eventually, Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, signed the group in 1961 under a new name – the Supremes. Gordy made Diana the lead singer of the group in 1963.
How Did Diana Ross Generate Her Fortune?
Diana Ross’s impressive wealth comes from multiple income streams, including her singing, acting, and properties.
Diana Ross started bringing in true fortune once she became the lead singer of the Supremes, and the group’s fame took off. Their first hit was in 1963, “When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes,”” and peaked on the Billboard at no.23.
Their first song to rank 1st was in 1964, called “Where Did Our Love Go”.” Until 1967, the group had 10 singles on the charts.
The profits were rolling in, but Diana started making even more after one of her group mates was fired, and Motown changed the group’s name to Diana Ross and the Supremes.
This change triggered more solo projects for Diana, such as TV solo performance specials, and she eventually left the group in 1970 with the support of Gordy. 1980, she also left Motown after receiving a severance of $250,000.
Diana then signed with RCA Records, where she received $20 million for a seven-year contract. This was the artist who was paid the most to record deals at the time.
Diana Ross’s solo career saw 25 studio albums and over 100 million global record sales. She received dozens of awards, including two Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Besides record sales and deals, Diana earns at least $300,000 per concert. For her performance at Glastonbury, she made around £200,000.
Diana Ross also earned money as an actress. She gave excellent performances in films such as Lady Sing the Blues, Mahogany, and The Wiz. She won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award.
As for real estate, Diana owns multiple homes, including two in Greenwich, Connecticut, valued at $19 million, and one in Miami valued at $16 million.
How Much Is Diana Ross’s Net Worth?
Diana Ross’s net worth in 2024 is estimated at least $250 million.
Did Diana Ross Marry a Billionaire?
Diana Ross is currently unmarried, but she has two ex-husbands. The first was businessman and music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, and the second was Norwegian businessman and billionaire Arne Næss Jr.
Does Diana Ross Have Children?
Yes, Diana Ross has five biological children. Rhonda Ross Kendrick is her daughter from Berry Gordy, Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Ross are her daughters from Robert Ellis Silberstein, and Ross Arne Naess and Evan Ross are her sons from Arne Næss Jr.
