[upbeat music] - [Narrator] Pastor Shirley Caesar Williams, the most visible gospel singer in the world, has been singing about her faith in Jesus for over 70 years.

At seven, she was known as Baby Shirley Caesar, singing in local churches.

By 12, she was performing with a traveling evangelist throughout North Carolina and by 13, she had recorded her first singles.

At 19, she started college in Durham when the Caravans, popular gospel group from Chicago, came through town.

Shirley convinced them that she was the singer they needed and for the next eight years, she became one of their featured vocalists.

Then she launched her solo career.

In 1977, she signed with the secular record label Roadshow Records in order to reach more people.

Her first album with them was titled First Lady because she was the first woman to record on the label and the nickname First Lady of Gospel stuck.

During her career, she has released over 40 albums and won 11 Grammy Awards.

In 2015, she's sang at the White House with Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul.

And in 2016, she topped the charts again and got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But despite all the legends she's worked with, Shirley's mom is still the brightest star in her eyes.

Left a widow to raise 13 children, she set Shirley on a life path of giving.

From donating concert proceeds to her outreach ministries to preaching at her church in Raleigh, Pastor Shirley inspires others to do good.