( 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 . Appreciation : Shirley Temple , the model child star . 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 . Share your memories of Shirley Temple Black . 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 . Former U.S. President George H.W . Bush , who appointed her to the Czechoslovakia post , said Tuesday that he and his wife `` mourn the loss of an American icon . '' `` She captured the affections of millions around the world by her endearing performances on the silver screen as a young girl , but I also admired Shirley for her selfless service to our country later in her life , '' Bush said in a statement released by his spokesman . `` In both roles , she truly lifted people up and earned not only a place in our hearts -- but also our enduring respect . `` Barbara and I send our condolences to Shirley 's family and countless fans around the world . '' A statement from Temple Black 's family members said they `` 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 . '' 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 .
Shirley Temple was arguably the most famous child star in U.S. history . She died of natural causes at her U.S. home surrounded by family and caregivers . She was a major box-office star during `` War Babies . She retired from acting in about 18 years and later became a California diplomat .