I'm just one of the lucky people. I have no other reason for my longevity.

I also met, early on Ella Fitzgerald. Her songbooks are some of the most amazing bodies of work.

But I am very grateful for my success, and with success, of course, comes a whole lot of celebrity.

Sometimes being famous gets in the way of doing what you want to do.

I love the house that I've been living in for over 40 years. I really am a homebody and I still love to play golf.

Too much, too little, too late, to ever try again. Too much, too little, too late, let's end it being friends.

My favorite singer to this day is Nat King Cole. I've tried to emulate his phrasing. It is so absolutely beautiful to listen to his lovely voice.

Her desire for fame is like her hair. It keeps getting bigger. [on Diana Ross

Walk my way and a thousand violins begin to play, or it might be the sound of your hello.

I really, really enjoy music and that's why I do what I do.

And fortunately, I haven't had any problem with my voice. I've been able to sing at a level of consistency that the people are expecting.

Ali... we should have gone to see that movie. Malcolm X was another one

Children should have a balanced start in life: a mother and a father. I think that's the only reason to get married.

We have to support our own films. If we don't, how can we expect others to support them?

I will lead my people out of bondage, Lord.

You never know what motivates you.

All I have to do is find someone who has something to say that will enrich my life and they can't get rid of me.

I saw that I could not afford the luxury of just being an actress. So I made a choice to use my career as a platform to address the issues of the race I was born into.

Whatever good I have accomplished as an actress I believe came in direct proportion to my efforts to portray black women who have made positive contributions to my heritage.