Shirley Temple Black dies at age 85 [VIDEO]

Shirley Temple Black passed away peacefully at her California home Monday night, surrounded by family.

The 85-year-old actress and diplomat died of natural causes.

Black won the hearts of Americans as a young girl, appearing in films such as "Heidi," "The Little Princess" and "Stowaway."

Born April 23, 1928, the California-native starred in 14 short films, 43 feature films and more than 25 storybook movies between 1931 and 1961.

At the age of 17, Black married Jack Agar and gave birth to Linda Susan two and a half years later. Black and Agar made two films together - "Fort Apache" and "Adventure in Baltimore" - but even a shared love of acting couldn't save the marriage that lasted less than five years.

Black quickly remarried to Charles Black, a former Naval Officer, and together they had two more children - Charlie Jr. and Lori. It was around this time that she retired from acting.

Later on in life, the former child star went on to pursue a career in politics, working as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, The U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana and the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia. She was also the first woman to serve as U.S. Chief of Protocol, a role she filled during former President Gerald Ford's administration.

Arguably the most enduring image of the ambitious woman, however, is that of a curly-headed, tap dancing child. The actress was the top box-office star from 1935 to 1938, beating out stars like Clark Gable and Bing Cosby.

Of her success, Black often said: "People in the Depression wanted something to cheer them up, and they fell in love with a dog, Rin Tin Tin, and a little girl."

In a statement, the family spoke to Black's achievements in a variety of roles.

"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 for 55 years of the late and much missed Charles Alden Black," they said.