The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin is reportedly gravely ill and is surrounded by family and loved ones in her hometown of Detroit as she battles cancer. News of Franklin’s deteriorating health came via a tweet by close friend Evron Cassidy of WDIV TV.
“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,” Cassidy tweeted.
No further news of her health has been revealed.
The last time Franklin performed at a festival was in June 2017 as the headliner for the inaugural free Detroit Music Weekend. The 76-year-old’s last live performance was a few months later in November for Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Gala in New York.
Franklin, an 18-time Grammy award-winning artist has a career that spawns four decades and is equally known for her voice as well as her activism. In 1968, she was called on to sing at Dr. Martin Luther King’s funeral and in 1987 became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
At the top of the year, rumors swirled Jennifer Hudson would play Franklin in a biopic. However, no further announcements about the film’s cast, script or production have been announced. News of Franklin’s health took over social media with many sharing their hopes for a speedy recovery.
5. Can you imagine the things Aretha Franklin has seen and experienced in her life? Here she is at Dr. Martin Luther King's memorial service singing "Precious Lord". pic.twitter.com/pCtEc2kGaa
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) August 13, 2018
Prayers going up for the Queen of Soul tonight. Music just wouldn’t be same if not for Aretha Franklin. pic.twitter.com/oHHO5Kvfah
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) August 13, 2018
Aretha Franklin was a teenage mom who had her 1st child at 14 & her 2nd at 16. She didn’t let that stop her from becoming the Queen of Soul.
Now the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is gravely ill. Hang on, Queen. We still need your soul. pic.twitter.com/italjrNllF
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) August 13, 2018
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