'38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors' on CBS. Celebrating Honorees' Lifetime Artistic Achievements of Carole King, George Lucas, Rita Moreno, Seiji Ozawa, Cicely Tyson Featuring: Aretha Franklin Where: United States When: 30 Dec 2015 Credit: Supplied by WENN.com **WENN does not claim any ownership including but not limited to Copyright, License in attached material. Fees charged by WENN are for WENN's services only, do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any ownership of Copyright, License in material. By publishing this material you expressly agree to indemnify, to hold WENN, its directors, shareholders, employees harmless from any loss, claims, damages, demands, expenses (including legal fees), any causes of action, allegation against WENN arising out of, connected in any way with publication of the material.**
Music legend Aretha Franklin was reported as “in grave condition” after being taken to a Detroit hospital, according to multiple reports. The singer was “not doing well,” according to a Philadelphia reporter, and was surrounded by her closest family and friends. Shobiz411 was the first to report the news. On Thursday, Aug. 16, Franklin passed away.
“I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. I spoke with her family members this morning. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release,” Evrod Cassimy, a singer, songwriter and close friend of Franklin, said in a statement on social media.
On Thursday morning, it was announced by Franklin’s publicist, that she had passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by friends and family as she passed.
In a statement through Franklin’s publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn, the family said:
“In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins knew no bounds…We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha, and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
The latest information on Franklin’s passing can be seen below.
Aretha Franklin Cause of Death: Cancer
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An official cause of death for the Queen of Soul has not been announced at this time.
Franklin was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. One of the greatest voices of all-time, Franklin last performed in November 2017 for the Elton John’s AIDs Foundation concert in New York.
About Aretha Franklin
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Aretha Franklin was born March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. She began singing as a child at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit where her father served as a minister. At age 18, Franklin began her secular career. After seven years fighting to reach fame, Franklin released songs like “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, “Spanish Harlem”, and “Think” with Atlantic records.
Throughout her career, Franklin had 112 singles that charted on Billboard and 77 songs that reached the Hot 100. 17 Franklin tracks broke the top ten pop singles, and 20 songs reached the top of the R&B charts. Franklin is the most charted female artist in Billboard history. Franklin also has 18 Grammy Awards to her name and has sold more than 75 million records worldwide.
Franklin is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the first female performer to receive the honor, the UK Music Hall of Fame, and GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Rest in peace Aretha Franklin, you will be missed by all.
