Robert Ellis Silberstein

Robert Ellis Silberstein (also known as Bob Ellis; born January 5, 1946) is an American music executive and businessman. During his career, he managed many musicians, including his ex-wife Diana Ross, Billy Preston, Rufus, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood, Meat Loaf and Status Quo.^[1]

Robert Ellis Silberstein
Silberstein in 2014
Born	(1946-01-05) January 5, 1946 (age 79) Elberon, New Jersey, U.S.
Other names	Bob Ellis
Spouse	Diana Ross ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1977)​
Children	3, including Tracee Ellis Ross and Rhonda Ross Kendrick

Early life and education

Silberstein was born into a family of Jewish garment manufacturers in Elberon, New Jersey.^[2][3][4] He graduated from West Virginia University and earned a teaching degree.

Career

Bob moved to Los Angeles in late 1969 or early 1970 and met Diana Ross by chance two months later. While both in a men's shop, Diana asked Bob for help picking out a gift for her then-partner, Motown Industries chairman Berry Gordy.^[5]

Though he never managed his wife, he managed the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood; Billy Preston; Meat Loaf; and Chaka Khan, whom he discovered while managing Rufus.^[6][7][8][9]

In 2018, he was associated with the short-lived movie ticket subscription startup, MoviePass, and was subsequently named in a lawsuit citing unlawful gender discrimination and sexual harassment.^[10][11]

Personal life

Silberstein was married to Diana Ross from 1971 to 1977.^[8] They have two daughters together, Tracee Ellis Ross and Chudney Ross.^[12] Diana Ross has one daughter from a previous relationship, Rhonda Ross Kendrick, whose biological father is Motown founder Berry Gordy, and who was born a few months after Silberstein and Ross married. Silberstein knowingly adopted her as his own.