Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin, Has Reportedly Died At Age 76

Aretha Franklin, renowned as the queen of soul music, has died at the age of 76, via TIME.

Franklin reportedly passed away at her home in Detroit, her representative Gwendolyn Quinn confirmed, according to the Associated Press.

Days ago, it was reported that the singer was  “gravely ill” and “surrounded by family” in hospital.

The singer had battled numerous health problems for years and had to cancel a series of concerts due to “doctor’s orders”.

A statement released via her management team revealed that she was “extremely disappointed she cannot perform as she had expected and hoped to.”

Franklin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in 2010 however it is unknown if her passing is related to her previous diagnosis.

Born in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin’s family eventually moved to Detroit where she was raised and nurtured her gift of singing.

Her mother passed away when she was 10 and the local women, including gospel singer Mahalia Jackson helped raise Aretha and her siblings.

Franklin started playing piano, singing and performing gospel songs at her father’s church in Detroit.

https://youtu.be/XHsnZT7Z2yQ

Last February she announced that 2017 would be her last year “in concert”.

Franklin is the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards and was the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She is also renowned as one of most successful artists of all time, having sold over 75 million records worldwide.

Her last performance was on November 2, 2017 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York.

Rest in peace, legend.

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