Diana Ross has attended quite a few Met Gala events over the years, but her latest appearance might just be her most stunning one yet.
The music icon, 81, proved that age is nothing but a number as she glided along the red carpet at fashion’s biggest night out on May 5.
The “I’m Coming Out” singer dazzled in a sparkly silver gown. And she brought her accessory A-game, pairing the frock with an oversized, feathered white hat and feathered shawl.
In a Vogue interview with La La Anthony, Ross described the inspiration behind her ensemble, calling it a “forever family gown.”
“It has the names of all my children and my eight grandchildren, so everybody’s name is embroidered,” she said.
Ross’ show-stopping look led many social media users to comment on how the singer has aged so gracefully.
“Diana Ross out here being a beauty queen at every age and stage of life. Go ‘head Queen!” one commented.
“Nobody anywhere like Ms Diana Ross Beautiful & Fabulous full of Class- at every age!” another wrote.
Ross certainly looks better than ever, and the star has some tricks to staying youthful and aging well up her fashionable sleeves. Here’s what to know.
She’s said she’ll never retire
With her legendary career, Ross certainly deserves a break, but the singer isn’t in any rush to take a step back. While playing two sold out shows in New York in March 2025, she told the crowd she’s “never going to retire.”
Per Harvard Medical School, working later in life can lead to health benefits for some people. Some research has shown that working as little as a year past retirement can decrease risk of dying, even if you have existing health problems.
Her kids are her priority
Ross is the proud mother of five children and grandmother to eight grandchildren. And even with everything she’s accomplished professionally, she told Essence in 2017 that her family has always been her most beloved achievement.
“In school, I wanted to be a fashion designer and costume illustrator and all of that has come true,” she said. “I wanted to create beauty in beautiful things and all of that has come true. My priority has always been my children and loving them and it has been my everything.”
Research shows that strong social connections are one of the many keys to healthy aging.
“People are often surprised by the literature that shows a correlation between social contact and enormous health benefits,” Dr. Amit Shah, a geriatrician at the Mayo Clinic, explained. “Interacting with others is exercise for your brain — it’s one of the best ways to improve your cognitive flexibility. It’s likely more beneficial than doing crossword puzzles or other brain games.”
He also noted that loneliness can come along with certain health risks, including anxiety, depression, heart disease and stroke.
She follows a routine on tour
Ross is in her early 80s and still touring. Her daughter Rhonda Ross, who has toured with her mother, spoke to Forbes in 2020 about their intentional routine while they’re on the road.
“Our meals are regular and sleep is surprisingly regular. The environment on this tour that my mother has established — that I have learned from her and take on — is a real professionalism, a real civility, good mental health,” Rhonda Ross said.
“There’s no partying, no groupies, no fans on the bus no drinking or (drugs). Most of us go to the gym and workout. Although the shows are one-nighters, they have a lot of sense underlying them because there’s a routine.”
The singer’s daughter added that the tour had a “healthy structure with a lot of time built in.”
“A lot of time that one can use however they choose. Some people sleep more, some people work out more, some people get their paperwork done and some people walk the city we’re in,” she said.
She’s dabbled in intermittent fasting
In 2022, Ross shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she was trying intermittent fasting.
“Today I am starting a easy simple intermittent fast, Lemon and water and vegetable broth .Went to bed at 8:30 PM and will have a lite meal at 12:30 PM -16 hours,easing into this new year,” she wrote.
Per the National Institute on Aging, research has shown that intermittent fasting can have anti-aging benefits. It can reduce risk of chronic disease, slow biological aging, improve metabolic health and perhaps even extend a person’s healthy lifespan.
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