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Diana Ross began her career in The Supremes, one of the original girl groups, which she joined in the late 1950s and eventually fronted in the mid-1960s.

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Ross, seen here celebrating her 38th birthday, became the toast of the music business, as well as a style icon, with hits including Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Touch Me in the Morning.

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It was her close friendship with Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, which helped her career.

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Diana Ross, who has been married twice, has five children.

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Diana Ross' flamboyant dress sense, seen here in 1979, and diva status ensured she was never short of attention.

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Ross' 1981 duet Endless Love with Lionel Richie (right) was one of her biggest hits after it featured in Franco Zeffirelli's (left) film of the same name.

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Diana Ross' career has been marked by comebacks, including a triumphant concert in New York's Central Park in 1983.

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As well as a singing and acting career, with a starring role in film The Wiz in 1978, Ross' life has also been marked by turbulence.

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Her marriage to billionaire businessman Arne Naess (right) ended in 2000 after 14 years. He was killed in a mountaineering accident in 2004.

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In 2004, Ross made a flamboyant return to the stage in Belfast just weeks after spending time in jail for drink-driving.