Diana Ross was born Diane Earle on March 26, 1944 in Michigan where she was raised in the housing projects. Diana has written: "My story has often been referred to as a classic 'rags to riches,' but in truth, that description doesn't fit me at all. For starters, the Rosses were never raggedy. We may not have had a lot of money and every moment was not great. I was brought up to have ideals, to believe that anything was possible and that hard work was a part of that." While still in high school in 1959, Diana joined The Primettes with Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Barbara Martin. The quartet signed to Motown Records and became The Supremes (down to a trio after Martin left). Diana Ross & The Supremes elevated Diana to super-stardom throughout 1960s with Diana often taking the lead focus of the trio.