NBC Insider Exclusive

Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more!

Sign Up For Free to View
NBC Insider Holiday

Gladys Knight Says She Is "So Grateful" on Her Milestone Birthday

The legend is performing during NBC A Motown Christmas special.

By Elizabeth Logan
Jimmy Celebrates His Birthday with a 50-Cupcake Salute
Video thumbnail
Now Playing
2:16
Highlight
Jimmy Celebrates His Birthday with a 50-Cupcake Salute
Video thumbnail
41:23
Web Exclusive
WWE Superstars Dwayne Johnson, Roman Reigns, John Cena, Cody Rhodes & More Talk WWE and WrestleMania
Video thumbnail
21:59
Web Exclusive
Tom Cruise Shows Insane Upside Down Plane Stunt, Talks The Weeknd Lip Sync & Plays What's Behind Me?
Video thumbnail
23:14
Web Exclusive
Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Young Mazino and Isabela Merced Talk The Last of Us Season 2 Ending
Video thumbnail
7:22
Highlight
Trump Blurs Lines by Hosting Private Dinner for Top Meme Coin Holders
Video thumbnail
11:48
Highlight
Shaquille O'Neal Lies to Jimmy About His Abrupt Exit on Live TV; Talks Docuseries Power Moves
Video thumbnail
7:40
Highlight
Trick or Seat with Shaquille O'Neal
Video thumbnail
7:36
Highlight
Hayley Atwell Filmed a Mission: Impossible Fight Scene While Eight Months Pregnant (Extended)
Video thumbnail
0:53
Highlight
Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Tom Cruise and Cast Sing the Mission: Impossible Theme Song A Cappella
Video thumbnail
4:22
Highlight
Dasha: Not At This Party
Video thumbnail
0:38
Web Exclusive
Jimmy Helps Jin with His "Don't Say You Love Me" Music Video
Video thumbnail
7:27
Highlight
Pom Klementieff Was Gifted Skydiving Lessons from Tom Cruise After Mission: Impossible (Extended)
Video thumbnail
3:25
Highlight
Jin: Don't Say You Love Me
Video thumbnail
5:15
Highlight
Ana de Armas Talks Training to Fight Keanu Reeves in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Video thumbnail
5:14
Highlight
This But That: Mission: Impossible and Easy Mode, The Tonight Show and News
Video thumbnail
11:45
Highlight
Trump Confronts South Africa's President, Pentagon Accepts Qatar's $400 Million Plane Bribe
Video thumbnail
8:15
Highlight
Jin Talks BTS Reunion in June, First Solo Tour and Echo; Takes Over The Tonight Show Desk
Video thumbnail
4:17
Highlight
Whisper Challenge with Ana de Armas

"Midnight Train To Georgia" singer Gladys Knight has nothing but gratitude as she grows older. And in a moving, celebratory post, she marked a milestone birthday with heartfelt words everyone should read.

How to Watch

Watch A Motown Christmas on Peacock.

Knight is a spritely and active entertainer and a legend in her own time, receiving the National Medal of Arts in 2023 even touring the UK over the summer in 2024. And never forget that she had her own show on NBC.

Glady Knight opens up about turning 80 years old

Knight celebrated becoming an octogenarian on May 28, 2024. On Instagram, she posted pictures from throughout her long and extraordinary career and wrote, "80 years of beautiful life, love, service, celebration, achievement, falling down, faith, fun, lessons, blessings, friendship, collaboration, soul sharing and more. I am so grateful to celebrate another amazing birthday. I am honored to live this wonderful life."

RELATED: Jimmy Fallon & More SNL Alums Befuddle Michael Bublé in This Silly Christmas Sketch

She continued with a sweet message to her fans, adding, "Thank you for all your love, support, celebration, prayers, well wishes, warm thoughts every day in each year. I truly love you! 💜💜"

Gladys Knight performs onstage in a silver dress.

In another reflective post at the start of the year, she shared, "It's a New Year, many of you have New Goals and I just wanted to take a moment and affirm to you that: YOU DESERVE! Everything that your heart desires, your mind can conceive and is for your ultimate good will be made yours. Take Action. Start. With the faith and understanding that YOU DESERVE! I love you all! 💜."

We love you, too!

Gladys Knight will take the stage in A Motown Christmas

The "empress of soul" is among the special performers who will make appearances during NBC's A Motown Christmas, which airs December 11 at 9/8c. 

“Motown’s timeless hits have played as a soundtrack for American families for the last eight decades,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President of Live Events & Specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment. “NBC is honored to spotlight the iconic legacy of Motown with a festive celebration for the holiday season.”

RELATED: Darci Lynne's Voice Stuns Again Covering "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"

Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey are slated to co-host the event, which will feature performances Ashanti, Andra Day, BeBe Winans, Jamie Foxx, JoJo, October London, mgk, Pentatonix, Jordin Sparks, and the cast of the Broadway show MJ The Musical and Motown acts like Knight, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and the Temptations.