Shirley Bassey is most famous for recording three "James Bond" themes – "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever" and "Moonraker". The Welsh star is the only singer to have sung more than one theme song for the famous spy movies.

With a career spanning an amazing five decades, it's no surprise that Shirley has become a musical legend and is adored by fans of all ages.

Shirley – who grew up in a working-class family in Tiger Bay, Cardiff and was the youngest of seven children - first made moves into the music industry when she was a teenager, leaving her native Wales for London after her extraordinary talent was discovered by bandleader Jack Hylton.

Her chart success started in 1957 with her debut single, "The Banana Boat Song", entering the top 10. Soon after her popularity soared and her song "As I Love You" reached the number one spot.

Now a star in Britain, she tried to crack America. After initially struggling to get recognition on foreign soil, her song "Goldfinger" – from the third "James Bond" film – propelled her to chart success on both sides of the Atlantic. The song showcased her true-diva style and powerful, unique vocals.

Hot on the heels of her breakthrough song, the sixties hits "I (Who Have Nothing)", "Big Spender" and "No Regrets" followed.

Her popularity continued to grow throughout the following two decades, and she started to bring more styles into her music, including jazz, funk and soul.

The seventies saw her record two more Bond themes. But soon after Moonraker's success in 1979, she disappeared from the public eye and kept a low profile throughout the eighties.

But she was back with a bang in the 1997 – to coincide with her 60^th birthday – by working on collaboration with the Propellerheads. The song, "History Repeating", laid her big vocals over dance beats, and introduced her to a new generation of music fans (including British royalty Princes William and Harry). It even reached number one in the British dance charts – proving her amazing vocals has the power to span the decades. The song inspired a 2000 remix album, on which her famous hits were remixed by top dance acts.

In 1999, Shirley's achievements were recognized and she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire, cementing her status as one of Britain's best loved stars, with the Queen even being one of her fans.

In 2003, she released a "Thank You For The Years" album to coincide with the anniversary of her 50th year in showbusiness.

Shirley, who now lives in Monaco, was back in the charts in 2005 when hip hop star Kanye Westsampled vocals from her "Diamonds Are Forever" song for his hit track about the Sierra Leone diamond trade. Shirley was reportedly was angry about the use of her track on the record, as he did not ask her permission first.

To this day, Shirley's live performances continue to electrify audiences.