- Shirley Temple was arguably the most famous child star in Hollywood history
- She died of natural causes at her California home surrounded by family and caregivers
- She was a major box-office star during the Great Depression
- She retired from acting in 1950 and later became a U.S. diplomat
(CNN) -- Shirley Temple Black, who rose to fame as arguably the most popular child star in Hollywood history, died late Monday night, her publicist said.
She was 85.
Temple Black, who also enjoyed a long career as a diplomat, died of natural causes at her Woodside, California, home. She was surrounded by family and caregivers, a statement from Cheryl Kagan said.
She began acting at age 3 and became a massive box-office draw before turning 10, commanding a then-unheard of salary of $50,000 per movie.
Her first film of notice was in 1932 when she played in "War Babies," part of the "Baby Burlesks" series of short films.
Shirley Temple Black dies at 85 
Hollywood child star Shirley Temple, who became diplomat Shirley Temple Black, died late February 10 of natural causes in her Woodside, California, home. She was 85. Above, Temple poses for a photograph in the 1930s. 
Temple poses for a promotional photograph for one of the "Baby Burlesks" series of short films, circa 1932. 
Billy "Bojangles" Robinson and Shirley Temple dance together on set in 1935. 
Temple arrives at the 20th Century Fox studio lot to celebrate her eighth birthday in 1936. 
Jean Hersholt performs with Temple in "Heidi" in 1937. 
FBI director J. Edgar Hoover gives Temple a tour of the Department of Justice in 1938. 
Temple and Dickie Moore act in a scene from the film "Miss Annie Rooney" in 1942. 
Temple and John Agar walk down a staircase after their wedding in 1945. The couple divorced in 1950. 
Temple and her second husband, Charles Black, arrive at the premiere of "Roman Holiday" in 1953. 
Temple acts in a scene with Ronald Reagan from "That Hagen Girl" in 1947. 
Temple Black sits with her daughter Lori Black at their home in 1957. 
Temple Black sits at a United Nations session in 1969. She served as a delegate for the United States. 
Temple Black is sworn in as new chief of protocol beside President Gerald R. Ford in the Cabinet Room of the White House in 1976. 
Temple Black signs copies of her book "Child Star" in 1988. 
Temple Black stands on a bridge in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1990. She served as ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992. 
President Bill Clinton greets Temple Black during a reception prior to the 1998 Kennedy Center Honors. 
Temple Black accepts the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award onstage during the awards show in 2006. Shirley Temple Black 
Click through to see people who passed away in 2014. 
Hollywood child star Shirley Temple, who became diplomat Shirley Temple Black, died late February 10 of natural causes in her Woodside, California, home. She was 85. 
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Franklin McCain, seen center wearing glasses, one of the "Greensboro Four," who made history for their 1960 sit-in at a Greensboro Woolworth's lunch counter, died on January 10 after a brief illness, according to his alma mater, North Carolina A&T State University. 
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Sir Run Run Shaw, the media tycoon who helped bring Chinese martial arts films to an international audience, died at his home in Hong Kong on January 7 at age 106, the television station he founded said. 
Stage, TV and film actress Carmen Zapata, who founded the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts as a means of of introducing "the rich and eloquent history of the diverse Hispanic culture to English-speaking audiences," died on January 5 at her Los Angeles home. She was 86. 
Portugal football legend Eusebio, who was top scorer at the 1966 World Cup, died from a heart attack on January 5 at age 71, said his former club, Benfica. 
Alicia Rhett, who had been one of the oldest surviving cast members of the classic film "Gone With the Wind," died on January 3 in her longtime hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, a retirement community spokeswoman said. She was 98. 
Singer Phil Everly, left -- one half of the groundbreaking, smooth-sounding, record-setting duo the Everly Brothers -- died on January 3, a hospital spokeswoman said. He was 74. Photos: People we lost in 2014 For about 18 years, she sang, tap-danced and acted her way into the hearts of millions. Her corkscrew curls were popular with little girls from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Early years
Her star shone brightest as a toddler, and 20th Century Fox cranked out a series of feature films with the adorable, talented little girl. Her hits included "Little Miss Marker" (1934), "Curly Top" (1935) and "The Littlest Rebel" (1935).
At the box office, she beat out the great adult stars of her day, such as Clark Gable and Bing Crosby. Her popularity spawned a large array of merchandizing items, such as dolls, hats and dresses.
She was the top box-office star four years in a row, from 1935 to 1938. Her career was at its peak as the country was suffering the effects of the Great Depression, and her films offered uplifting moments.
But as she got older, the pace of movies slowed, and by 1939, her popularity was fading. She and 20th Century Fox terminated her contract early in 1940, just before she reached her teenage years.
U.S. diplomat
She retired from filmmaking at 22 and married Charles Black, changing her last name from Temple to Temple Black.
But she did not fade from the public eye.
She embarked on a new career as a foreign diplomat: She served in the U.S. delegation to the United Nations from 1969 to 1974 was U.S. ambassador to Ghana from 1974 to 1976, and U.S. ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992.
"We salute her for a life of remarkable achievements as an actor, as a diplomat, and most importantly as our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and adored wife of fifty-five years of the late and much missed Charles Alden Black," a statement said.
Enduring icon
She remained a cultural icon for decades after stepping down from the silver screen.
In 1958, she made a comeback as an entertainer, this time on television, in an hourlong show, "Shirley Temple's Storybook."
She later received two lifetime achievement awards for her performing career.
In 1972, Temple Black successfully battled breast cancer.
Funeral arrangements are pending. A remembrance guest book will be set up online at shirleytemple.com.
People we lost in 2014
CNN's Jo Shelley contributed to this report.
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