Meet Motown icon Diana Ross’ 5 children — including an Emmy-nominated sitcom lead

Diana welcomed her eldest child, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, now 54, in August 1971. While Motown founder Berry Gordy is her biological father, Rhonda was raised by Diana’s first husband, music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, whom the singer married when Rhonda was still a baby.

Rhonda later revealed she discovered the truth about her parentage as a teenager, explaining that the family had always known Berry as “Uncle B.B.”

Like both of her parents, Rhonda has pursued a career in music, becoming a respected jazz-influenced singer-songwriter. She is also an actress, keynote speaker and earned an Emmy nomination for her acting work.

In 2017, Diana invited her daughter to open for her on tour, something Rhonda described as an emotional milestone after more than two decades building her own career. She shares son Raif-Henok with husband Rodney Kendrick, whom she married in 1996.

Perhaps Diana’s most recognisable child, Tracee Ellis Ross, 53, has become a Hollywood star in her own right.

After breaking through on the hit comedy Girlfriends, Tracee found worldwide fame playing Dr. Rainbow Johnson on ABC’s Black-ish, a role that earned her five Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe.

Away from acting, she is also the founder and CEO of the successful haircare brand Pattern Beauty, created to celebrate and care for textured hair.

Despite Diana’s global superstardom, Tracee has often spoken about how grounded her childhood felt.

“The Diana Ross that the world knows doesn’t hold a candle to her mom-ness,” she previously said, adding that her mother always prioritised family life over fame.

Diana’s youngest daughter, Chudney Ross, 50, has carved out a career away from the spotlight.

After studying English and fine arts at Georgetown University, she worked in television production before following her passion for children’s literacy.

In 2011, she opened the children’s bookstore and community space Books and Cookies in Santa Monica, later publishing her own children’s book, Lone Bean.

Chudney is married to Joshua Faulkner, and the couple share daughters Callaway and Everlee.

She has often credited Diana for encouraging all of her children to create their own paths rather than simply following in their mother’s footsteps.

Diana welcomed her eldest son, Ross Naess, 38, with her second husband, Norwegian businessman and adventurer Arne Naess Jr.

Although he largely stays out of Hollywood, Ross has inherited his late father’s love of adventure and the outdoors.

He married Kimberly Ryan in a bohemian-inspired California ceremony in 2017, with Diana officiating the wedding and younger brother Evan performing during the reception.

The couple are parents to sons Leif and Indigo, and Ross regularly shares glimpses of their outdoor adventures together.

The youngest of Diana’s children, Evan Ross, 37, has enjoyed a successful acting and music career.

He has appeared in films including ATL, The Hunger Games and The United States vs. Billie Holiday, while also releasing music of his own.

In 2014, Evan married singer Ashlee Simpson during a romantic ceremony at Diana’s Connecticut estate, with the music icon once again officiating.

The couple share daughter Jagger Snow and son Ziggy Blu, while Evan is also stepfather to Ashlee’s son Bronx from her previous marriage to Pete Wentz.

Speaking previously about growing up with four siblings, Evan said his large family helped prepare him for raising a blended family of his own.

“I grew up in a family where I had a lot of different siblings,” he said. “I think it’s a beautiful thing.”