Diana Ross Family Tree: The Story Behind Motown's Greatest Female Singer

Diana Ernestine Earle Ross, born 26 March 1944 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, was lead singer of The Supremes (1959–1970), the most-successful Motown act of the 1960s, and a solo superstar (Lady Sings the Blues 1972, Oscar-nominated; Mahogany 1975). Twelve Supremes #1 singles; six solo #1s; 100+ million records sold.

The Family's Roots: An African-American Detroit Auto-Worker Family

The Ross family is African-American; raised in the Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects of Detroit.

Her Parents

Father: Fred Ross Sr. — Detroit auto-worker.

Mother: Ernestine Earle Ross — homemaker.

Her Siblings

Barbara Jean Ross Lee — elder sister.

Margaret Ross (1944) — Diana's twin? — no; actually Margaret was a separate elder sister.

Rita Marie Ross — sister.

Fred Ross Jr. — brother.

Arthur "T-Boy" Ross (1948–1996) — younger brother; songwriter ("I Love You More Today Than Yesterday").

Wilbert Alex "Chico" Ross — youngest brother.

Her First Husband: Robert Silberstein

Robert Ellis Silberstein ("Bob Ellis") — music executive (Rolling Stones management). Diana married Bob in 20 January 1971; divorced 1977.

Daughters with Robert

Rhonda Suzanne Silberstein (Ross), born August 1971 — daughter (biological father is Berry Gordy, founder of Motown, with whom Diana had a relationship; Robert raised Rhonda as his own).

Tracee Ellis Ross, born 29 October 1972 — daughter; actress (Girlfriends, Black-ish, Daria).

Chudney Lane Ross, born November 1975 — daughter.

Her Second Husband: Arne Næss Jr.

Arne Næss Jr. (1937–2004) — Norwegian shipping heir and mountaineer (led first Norwegian Everest expedition 1985); 7 years older than Diana. Married 1 February 1986; divorced 2000. Arne died in 2004 climbing in South Africa.

Sons with Arne

Ross Arne Næss, born August 1987 — son.

Evan Olav Næss, born August 1988 — son; entertainer.

The Ross Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: African-American; Detroit.

Father: Fred Ross Sr. — auto-worker.

Mother: Ernestine Earle Ross.

Siblings: Barbara Jean, Margaret, Rita Marie, Fred Jr., Arthur "T-Boy" (1948–1996), Wilbert "Chico".

First Husband: Robert Silberstein (m. 20 January 1971, div. 1977).

Daughters: Rhonda Ross (b. August 1971, biological father Berry Gordy); Tracee Ellis Ross (b. 29 October 1972) — actress; Chudney Lane Ross (b. November 1975).

Second Husband: Arne Næss Jr. (1937–2004; m. 1 February 1986, div. 2000).

Sons: Ross Arne Næss (b. August 1987); Evan Olav Næss (b. August 1988).

Diana Ross:

  • Born 26 March 1944, Detroit
  • Cass Technical High School
  • Joined the Primettes (later The Supremes) at age 15 (1959)
  • Signed by Berry Gordy to Motown: 1961
  • The Supremes (1961–1970): 12 #1 singles — "Where Did Our Love Go" (1964), "Baby Love" (1964), "Come See About Me" (1964), "Stop! In the Name of Love" (1965), "Back in My Arms Again" (1965), "I Hear a Symphony" (1965), "You Can't Hurry Love" (1966), "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (1966), "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" (1967), "The Happening" (1967), "Love Child" (1968), "Someday We'll Be Together" (1969)
  • Solo: from 1970 — Ain't No Mountain High Enough (1970), Touch Me in the Morning (1973), "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" (1976), Love Hangover (1976), Upside Down (1980)
  • Lady Sings the Blues (1972) — Best Actress Oscar nomination
  • Mahogany (1975), The Wiz (1978)
  • 12 Grammy nominations
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 1988
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom: 2016

What the Ross Family Story Teaches Us

A Detroit auto-worker father. A homemaker mother. Six siblings. A first marriage of six years and three daughters (one biologically Berry Gordy's). A second marriage of 14 years to a Norwegian shipping heir and two sons. A daughter (Tracee Ellis Ross) who became a Black-ish star. A career spanning Motown's golden era and modern solo records.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Diana Ross story carries the same lesson. Sometimes the child's biological father is hidden in the family record. Rhonda's relationship to Berry Gordy was undisclosed for decades. Write down every parent honestly. The hidden chapters often become important later.

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