Tracee Ellis Ross Wishes the 'Legendary' Diana Ross a Happy 80th Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute: 'Oh How I Love You Mom' (2024)

Tracee Ellis Ross Wishes the 'Legendary' Diana Ross a Happy 80th Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute: 'Oh How I Love You Mom' (1)

Tracee Ellis Ross is honoring her mother Diana Ross as she celebrates her 80th birthday!

On Tuesday, the pop icon turned 80 — and in celebration of the major birthday, her daughter, 51, reflected on all of the milestones that she's reached throughout her legendary career and as a mom by posting a touching Instagram tribute.

The Emmy-nominated actress fittingly posted a video featuring 80 shots of pop superstar from throughout her lifetime, including several iconic photo shoots, some of her album artwork and an endearing image of the mother-daughter-duo. The slideshow was accompanied by Ross' classic song "If We Hold On Together," and in the caption, the black-ish star opened up about how much she admires about her mom.

She began, "Oh how I love you Mom. 80 incredible pictures of you in 80 seconds to celebrate your 80th birthday today ♥️."

Tracee Ellis Ross Wishes the 'Legendary' Diana Ross a Happy 80th Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute: 'Oh How I Love You Mom' (2)

Diana Ross's Life in Photos

Tracee continued by sharing that she looks often up facts about her life, since her mother's career is so well-documented, and found it "staggering" to see how much she accomplished in the span of 1976 to 1985 when she and her sisters were born. (Rhonda Ross Kendrick was born to Diana and Berry Gordyin 1971, then the following year, she and first husband Robert Ellis Silberstein welcomed Tracee, and Chudney Ross was born in 1974. Her sons Ross Arne Naess and Evan Ross, whom she sharees with ex-husband Arne Naess Jr., were born in 1987 and 1988, respectively.)

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She wrote, "my mama@dianarossput out an album a year, did multiple tours, produced and starred in a variety of TV specials, shot Mahogany and The Wiz, produced her legendary 1983 Central Park concert with an estimated 800,000 attendees (when the first night of the show got rained out, she chose to pay for and re-do it the next night), left Motown, purchased an entire floor of a prestigious Fifth Avenue building, bought an estate outside of New York, and an office building where she where she manufactured Diana Ross Pantyhose and other merchandise, and other huge personal life moments?"

Tracee Ellis Ross Wishes the 'Legendary' Diana Ross a Happy 80th Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute: 'Oh How I Love You Mom' (3)

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The Girlfriends alum noted the historical context of just how significant member of The Supremes' feats were at the time. "This was at a time when women couldn’t apply for credit or serve on a jury, and didn’t have access to birth control but could get fired for being pregnant. (Mind blown)," Tracee added.

"By 1977, she’d launched herself into a wildly successful, independent life as an artist, a mother and a Black woman," the TV star wrote. "She had a huge iconic career on her shoulders, with no manager, no partner, by the end of that decade no mother, and three little girls to raise."

The Golden Globe winner continued, "And those are just some of the Google headlines.What’s not available on Google is that she was also waking us up for school (she is the best waker-upper), having family dinner and bath time, recording while we slept, planning our birthday parties, play dates, doctor’s appointments, settling arguments between siblings…you know, all the mom stuff."

She concluded the heartfelt tribute by reiterating how much the Grammy winner means to her by simply being her mother. "Amidst shattering records, breaking glass ceilings, and setting a new bar for style and glamour, we, her children, were always her priority. As I often say, 'Diana Ross' the beloved global icon is legendary but she doesn’t hold a candle to my Mama," the performer said.

Tracee Ellis Ross Wishes the 'Legendary' Diana Ross a Happy 80th Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute: 'Oh How I Love You Mom' (4)

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Tracee has long spoken about how much respect she has for the "I'm Coming Out" singer and maintained a close relationship with her over the years.

In a 2022 interview with InStyle, she told the outlet about how relatively normal her childhood was, despite being raised by a pop star. "My mom was extremely present," she said. "Waking us up for school, sitting for dinner with us and giving us a genuine, anchored, real family life and home life. The most important thing to my mother was not fame, it was her children."

The actress won't be the only member of the Ross family celebrating their mom's special day.

Last month, the musician's son Evan spoke to PEOPLE at a New York Fashion Week event about his mom's epic birthday plans and how they were planning on throwing a big bash.

"My mom's 80th birthday is coming up. I'm not able to say where yet, but it will be something to be remembered,"the actor, 35, teased.

He added, "I think she's going to go all in, which is exciting."

Tracee Ellis Ross Wishes the 'Legendary' Diana Ross a Happy 80th Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute: 'Oh How I Love You Mom' (2024)

FAQs

Is Tracee Ellis Ross Diana Ross daughter? ›

Ross is a daughter of actress and Motown recording artist Diana Ross and Robert Ellis Silberstein. She began acting in independent films and variety series. She hosted the pop-culture magazine The Dish on Lifetime.

How many baby fathers does Diana Ross have? ›

Diana Ross may be best known for her powerful and legendary voice, but the Motown singer is also a mom to five children: Rhonda, 48, Tracee Ellis, 46, Chudney, 43, Ross, 32, and Evan, 31. The late Arne Naess was the father of Ross and Evan, while Robert Ellis Silberstein is the father of Rhonda, Tracee, and Chudney.

Who is the father of Diana Ross first daughter? ›

At the time of Rhonda's birth, Diana Ross was married to her first husband, Robert Ellis Silberstein. Ross, Berry Gordy, and Silberstein all knew of Rhonda's parentage. She was publicly presented as a daughter of Ross and Silberstein, and he raised her. When she was 13, she was told Gordy was her biological father.

What is an inspirational quote for an 80 year old? ›

If every 80-year-old was just like you, the world would be a much better place. Happy birthday! Turning 80 doesn't mean the end of anything. It means the beginning of another year with a full eight decades of wisdom behind you!

Can Tracee Ellis Ross have children? ›

In a recent appearance on Glennon Doyle's We Can Do Hard Things podcast, Ross got all the way real and opened up about having no regrets about not having children of her own. “My ability to have a child is leaving me, but, like, I don't agree that that's what 'fertile' means.

Is Diana Ross married to a billionaire? ›

However, she has been married twice, first to music executive and businessman Robert Ellis Silberstein, the father of her daughters Tracee and Chudney, and second to billionaire shipping magnate Arne Naess Jr., the father of her two sons Ross and Evan.

Is Tracee Ellis Ross in a relationship? ›

She's openly spoken about her singlehood, claiming she only wants a relationship “if it betters her life,” not feeling like she needs one to be fulfilled. However, just because she's single and thriving now doesn't mean that she hasn't had a fair share of bachelors in her roster.

How many husbands has Diana Ross had? ›

Ross has similarly been married twice throughout her life: first to music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, from 1971 until 1977, and again to Norwegian businessman Arne Naess Jr., from 1985 to 2000.

What is Diana Ross's famous quote? ›

You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.

When did Diana Ross have a baby? ›

Diana Ross has five kids: Rhonda (born in 1971), Tracee (born in 1972), Chudney (born in 1975), Ross (born in 1987), and Evan (born in 1988).

Do all of Diana Ross's kids have the same dad? ›

Ross told Rhonda that Gordy was her biological father when Rhonda was 13 years old. Beforehand, Rhonda referred to Gordy as "Uncle B.B." Ross has two daughters with Silberstein, Tracee Joy Silberstein (Tracee Ellis Ross) and Chudney Lane Silberstein, born in 1972 and 1975, respectively.

Who is Diana Ross son? ›

My youngest son Evan Ross has become quite the restauranteur. He owns 2 hot spot restaurants in LA: The Hideaway in Beverly Hills and Leona's in Studio City. I'm so proud of you Evan! Jody Watley and 4,897 others like this.

Did Diana Ross have a baby with Berry Gordy? ›

Diana Ross' biggest fans are her five children. The "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" singer welcomed her eldest daughter, Rhonda, 52, with Motown legend Berry Gordy in 1971.

What is the best message for birthday for my mother? ›

Short and sweet birthday wishes for mom
  • Thank you for being you, Mom. ...
  • Happy birthday to the queen of my heart. ...
  • You are the most caring person I've ever known. ...
  • I'm forever grateful you're my mom. ...
  • I love you more with every passing year. ...
  • Happy, happy, happy, happy birthday!

What do you write in a 80 year old woman's birthday card? ›

80th Birthday Wishes for a Friend
  • Congratulations my dear friend! ...
  • It's an honor to be your friend for many years. ...
  • Today is your birthday! ...
  • Congratulations on our 80 years of true friendship! ...
  • Happy birthday my friend! ...
  • Hey! ...
  • Congratulations on turning 80!
Jul 13, 2023

What is a nice quote for mother's birthday? ›

Mom, you are a gift to me. Wishing you a wonderful day filled with all the things you love the most." "There will never be enough words to convey how deeply grateful I am that I have a mom as wonderful as you, but I can start with “I love you so much.” Happy birthday, mom!"

What is a nice thing to say to mom on her birthday? ›

Hope your birthday brings some time to relax and remember how much you're loved. I don't say it enough, but it's always true: I love you, and I'm so lucky you're my mom. For all the days you've made happy for our family and all the ways you make us smile—happy birthday with lots of love.

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