Is she ready to be a Queen mother? Queen Latifah admits that she wants to adopt a child, reports the Winnipeg Free Press. The publicity-shy star claims adopting has been a dream of hers for many years.

"I'm definitely going to adopt, or have a child," she says. "I've wanted to adopt since I was 17 or 18 years old."

The technically-single actress, 41, credits a family tragedy for helping her learn to embrace life. Latifah opened up about the impact of losing her brother Lance Owens, who died in a motorcycle accident at age 24: "I think the most important thing I've learned is to not stop living," she said, sharing that she still wears his motorcycle keys around her neck.

"As my Aunt Elaine says, 'You never get over it, but you get through it.' I think the most important thing I've learned is to not stop living."

As for the misery of changing diapers and sleepless nights? Sounds like she's ready to embrace it.

(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/GettyImages)