Diana Ross turns 70 this week. Patti LaBelle will join her in the septuagenarian club in a few months. Here’s a look at a few of their peers who must have found the fountain of youth and are giving credence to the adage “Black don’t crack.”
Diana Ross
It’s hard to believe that the queen of Motown is turning 70 on March 26. Here’s to hoping that she’ll never part ways with that big hair and those glamorous gowns.
Iman
Iman broke down a lot of barriers in the beauty industry as a model of color and is continuing to do so at the age of 58. Last year she appeared alongside Naomi Campbell and Bethann Hardison to encourage fashion houses to include models of color in their ad campaigns and runway shows.
Sheila E.
A pioneering Latina musician, Sheila E. is still pounding away on those drums at 56.
Patti LaBelle
Like Diana Ross, LaBelle turns 70 this year, on May 24. And don’t you dare lump her in with the up-and-coming divas. Ms. LaBelle has clear ideas about what it takes to be considered great.
Grace Jones
An iconic figure in the fashion industry for more than 40 years, Jones still performs today at age 65.
Dionne Warwick
Forget Halle Berry—Warwick has been rocking her signature low-cut hairstyle for decades now, and it still suits her well at age 73.
Natalie Cole
It feels as if Cole has been on the scene forever, since she was first introduced to the world as the late, great Nat King Cole’s daughter. She has overcome many obstacles in her 64 years and has managed to emerge stronger than ever with that same sweet face and killer bod.
Anita Baker
One of the youngest in this roundup, Baker, 56, is already showing signs that she’ll continue to exude beauty and grace for years to come, just like her predecessors.
Diahann Carroll
Carroll was the first black female actress to be cast in a lead role on network TV. When she appears alongside Kerry Washington to pay homage to that history, Carroll, 78, looks like she could go toe-to-toe with Olivia Pope on a few cases.
Phylicia Rashad
Rashad has to spill the beans on what moisturizer she uses. At 65, Mrs. Huxtable doesn’t look a day over 45.
Gloria Estefan
Our Latina sistah Estefan can still do the conga at 56.
Tina Turner
At 74, Turner still executes the kind of choreography that would give 20-year-olds heart palpitations. Make no mistake: She taught Beyoncé and the rest of ’em.
Cicely Tyson
At age 80, Tyson’s inner beauty is still as radiant as her outer beauty.
Gladys Knight
Also turning 70 this year, Knight—another icon birthed by Motown Records—hasn’t missed a pep in her step since her days with the Pips.
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