Victoria Rowell: 51, Fierce & Fabulous

On May 10, Victoria Rowell turns 51.

Not looking a day over 40, the soap opera diva isn't ashamed to let the world know that she's been around the block a few times. The twice married mother of two (now both teenagers) and Portland, Maine, native is a true renaissance woman whose authored two books, starred in numerous television shows and appeared in more than a few feature films.

Rowell is also a staunch advocate for foster care initiatives and women's rights issues.

In honor of the beloved actress' big birthday and in celebration of the release of her recently released debut novel 'Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva' (Atria, $16), Black Voices takes an intimate look at the life and career of the best-selling author and award-winning star of 'The Young and the Restless.'

Take a look.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=879308&pid=879307&uts=1273460032

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

Victoria Rowell is more than just your average soap opera actress; A true renaissance woman, she has written two books, starred in television shows including 'The Ghost Whisperer,' 'All of Us' and 'Noah's Arc' and appeared in a number of movies, including 'Home of the Brave,' 'Eve's Bayou,' 'Motives' and 'Barb Wire.' She's also a staunch advocate for foster care, and women's issues.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

Her full name is Victoria "Vicki" Lynn Rowell. She was born in Portland, Maine, on May 10, 1959.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

When she was 8, Rowell began ballet lessons. She received a Ford Foundation scholarship to study at the Cambridge School of Ballet.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

When Rowell was just 16 days old, she, along with her two sisters, Sheree and Lori, was surrendered to child services after her schizophrenic mother left her and her siblings unsupervised.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

During the 1980s, Rowell became an in-demand runway and catalog model. She began to take acting lessons and earned featured roles on television shows such as 'The Cosby Show.'

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

In 1990, Rowell was cast as a hood-rat-turned-fashion model Drucilla Barber on the long-running CBS soap opera 'The Young and the Restless.'

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

Rowell's first marriage was to Tom Fahey in 1989. A daughter named Maya is a product of their union, which ended in divorce the following year.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

On 'The Young and the Restless,' Rowell's character fell in love and married Neil Winters, who is played by veteran soap actor Kristoff St. John.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

The trajectory of Drucilla Barber and Neil Winters is quite interesting. Before the two became lovebirds, they schemed and plotted to break up the relationship between her physician sister Olivia and her detective boyfriend Nathan.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

During the early-1990s, Rowell had a long-term romantic relationship with world-renowned jazz luminary Wynton Marsalis. A son, Jasper, is the product of their union.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years