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
3:12
Highlight
Yandel: PUÑO DE TITO
Video thumbnail
11:10
Highlight
Britt Lower Plays the Severance Theme Song on Trumpet; Talks Smoothie Mishap While Filming Season 2
Video thumbnail
9:20
Highlight
Trump Is Serious About a Third Term, “Couldn’t Care Less” About His Tariffs Raising Prices
Video thumbnail
8:21
Highlight
Jack Black Shreds the Guitar During Tonight Show Entrance; Talks Making Songs for A Minecraft Movie
Video thumbnail
6:27
Highlight
Minecraft Claw Machine Challenge with Jack Black and Jason Momoa
Video thumbnail
11:44
Highlight
Jeff Goldblum Praises Ariana Grande and Wicked Cast, Talks John Travolta's "Adele Dazeem" Mix-up
Video thumbnail
7:39
Highlight
Matt Bomer Says He Would Bring Back White Collar in a Heartbeat and Talks Mid-Century Modern
Video thumbnail
5:17
Highlight
Soap Opera Interview with Paul Rudd
Video thumbnail
3:24
Highlight
Charley Crockett: Easy Money
Video thumbnail
11:17
Highlight
Paul Rudd on Ant-Man's Return in Avengers: Doomsday and His Date with Billy Joel and Adam Scott
Video thumbnail
1:14
Highlight
Jimmy Crowd Surfs the Tonight Show Audience for Spring Break
Video thumbnail
7:25
Highlight
Trump Says Massive Group Chat Leak Is "Really Not a Big Deal," Scams Americans with 25% Auto Tariff
Video thumbnail
8:54
Highlight
Journalist Releases Screenshots from Crazy War Plan Leak, Trump Puts Elon Musk in Charge
Video thumbnail
3:31
Highlight
Ed Sheeran and Jimmy Build "Shape of You" Using a Looping Station
Video thumbnail
6:05
Highlight
Penn & Teller Perform a 50th Anniversary Magic Trick with Jimmy's Credit Card (Extended)
Video thumbnail
11:36
Highlight
Ed Sheeran Reveals Album Title Play, Sings "Old Phone" and Talks Writing "Shape of You" for Rihanna
Video thumbnail
6:51
Highlight
Ncuti Gatwa Did Kourtney Kardashian Impressions on Doctor Who Set, Talks Ryan Gosling Screensaver

"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.

Sponsored Stories
Recommended by Zergnet