The ‘queen of soul’ is said to be near the end of her life, according to news reports in her home city of Detroit
Aretha Franklin is “gravely ill”, according to sources close to her family.
An anonymous source speaking to the Associated Press said she was “seriously ill”, while another reporter, Evrod Cassimy of the Local 4 news outlet in her home city of Detroit, wrote on Twitter: “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.” He said he had been asked not to release information of her illness.
Franklin, 76, has faced bouts of ill-health since 2010, when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, according to a family member who spoke to Detroit’s press. After an operation that year, she continued to undergo treatment, and told Us Weekly last year, following a hoax report of her death: “I’m doing well generally, all test have come back good. I’ve lost a lot of weight due to side effects of medicine, it affects your weight.” She cancelled two concert appearances in April on her doctor’s orders.
She announced a partial retirement in 2017, saying “I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert”, before saying she planned occasional one-off performances: “I'll be pretty much satisfied, but I'm not going to go anywhere and just sit down and do nothing. That wouldn't be good either.” Her last previous performance was in November, at a gala event for the Elton John Aids Foundation; the same month she released her most recent album, A Brand New Me.
Franklin is known as the “queen of soul”, for a career that stretches back to her early teens and features hits such as I Say a Little Prayer, Respect, and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. A champion of civil rights, she performed at Martin Luther King’s funeral, and at the 2009 inauguration of president Barack Obama.
Aretha Franklin is said to be “gravely ill” in a Detroit hospice, according to her close friend.
Reports that the Queen of Soul is unwell first surfaced on Sunday evening with a Detroit news anchor seemingly confirming her family had told him the news.
“I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill,” Evrod Cassimy tweeted. “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.”
A friend has since confirmed the news to Associated Press but a rep for Franklin did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Franklin, who is set to retire from live music in February 2019, last performed live last November at Elton John's annual AIDS Foundation gala. She confirmed her retirement to Cassimy while simultaneously announcing plans to work on a new record with Stevie Wonder.
Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 50 show all Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1/50 1968 Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 and went on to earn the title ‘The Queen of Soul’ for her services to music since the late 60s Getty 2/50 1967 She signed to Atlantic Records in 1967 Rex 3/50 1968 Franklin achieved huge success with songs including “Spanish Harlem”, "I Say a Little Prayer" and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Getty 4/50 1974 She first sang as part of a gospel at a Detroit church where her father, C.L, was the pastor before embarking upon a full-time career in 1960 Rex 5/50 1977 Portrait of American soul singer Aretha Franklin Getty 6/50 1977 She won 18 Grammys Rex 7/50 1980 Aretha Franklin has sold over 75m records worldwide Getty 8/50 1981 George Benson and Aretha Franklin at the Greek Theatre Rex 9/50 1986 Aretha Franklin Showtime TV Special. In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Rex 10/50 1992 American music executive Clive Davis and Aretha Franklin attend an event together Getty 11/50 1993 Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross perform at the Inaugural Gala for President Bill Clinton Rex Features 12/50 1994 US actor Kirk Douglas applauds singer Aretha Franklin at a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognised American performance artists who have made lifetime contributions to American culture AFP/Getty 13/50 1997 Aretha Franklin singing during the inaugural gala dedicated to US President Bill Clinton in Landover AFP/Getty Images 14/50 1998 Aretha Franklin had a a cameo appearance in cult classic 'The Blues Brothers' Rex Features 15/50 1998 Aretha Franklin poses with the Blues Brothers John Goodman, left, J.Evan Bonifant, second left, Joe Morton, second right, and Dan Aykroyd, right, after performing at the 40th Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York AFP/Getty 16/50 1998 Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti laughs along with singer Aretha Franklin and the group Boyz II Men after accepting the eighth MusiCares Foundation "Person of the Year" award in New York AFP/Getty 17/50 1999 US President Bill Clinton along with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton award singer Aretha Franklin with the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award AFP/Getty 18/50 2001 Aretha Franklin with show host and producer Don Cornelius Getty 19/50 2001 Aretha Franklin performs at the conclusion of the Lane Bryant Spring/Summer 2001 Lingerie Show at Studio 54 AFP/Getty Images 20/50 2001 Aretha Franklin performing with Bishop Morton at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' Getty 21/50 2001 Aretha Franklin onstage performing at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' Getty Images 22/50 2002 Torchbearer Aretha Franklin carries the Olympic Flame during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay in Detroit Getty Images 23/50 2003 Carly Simon, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin perform on stage during Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala Getty 24/50 2005 Aretha Franklin and actor Hugh Jackman perform onstage at the 59th Annual Tony Awards Getty 25/50 2005 Aretha Franklin is presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civil award, by President George Bush at the White House Getty 26/50 2005 Aretha Franklin (L) and Stevie Wonder onstage at the 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards Getty Images 27/50 2006 Aretha Franlkin and Aaron Neville perform the National Anthem prior to the start of Super Bowl XL between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan Getty 28/50 2006 Aretha Franklin appears at Berklee College of Music commencement in Boston along with singer Melissa Etheridge, who both received honorary degrees for their achievements in music Getty 29/50 2007 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 22nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York Getty 30/50 2008 Aretha Franklin arrives at the 2008 MusiCares person of the year, which was honoring herself Getty 31/50 2008 Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles Getty 32/50 2009 Aretha Franklin and Josh Groban perform during the Mandela Day Celebration Concert in New York City. Getty 33/50 2009 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting Getty 34/50 2010 Aretha Franklin and Ron Isley perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center for Performing Arts Getty 35/50 2010 Comedian Jamie Foxx leads singer Aretha Franklin to the stage as she is inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame Getty 36/50 2011 US President Barack Obama kisses Aretha Franklin as First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar applaud after Franklin performed at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington AFP/Getty 37/50 2011 Aretha Franklin and Elton John attend Tony Bennett's 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts at The Metropolitan Opera House Getty/Tony Bennett 38/50 2011 Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett perform onstage Getty 39/50 2011 Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey during the taping of the second to last Oprah Winfrey Show at the United Center in Chicago AFP/Getty 40/50 2011 Aretha Franklin performs to a SRO audience at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Getty 41/50 2012 Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson attend the BET Honors 2012 Pre-Honors dinner at the Corcoran Gallery of Art Getty 42/50 2012 Aretha Franklin performs during the BET Honors 2012 at the Warner Theatre Getty 43/50 2012 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 10th Annual TV Land Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory Getty 44/50 2013 Aretha Franklin performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington AFP/Getty 45/50 2014 Reverend Al Sharpton and Aretha Franklin attend his 60th birthday celebration at the Four Seasons Restaurant Getty 46/50 2015 US President Barack Obama and outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder listen to singer Aretha Franklin at the Justice Department in Washington. The event marked Holder's anticipated departure after more than six years of service. AFP/Getty Images 47/50 2015 Pope Francis looks on as Aretha Franklin performs during the Festival of Families Getty Images 48/50 2016 Detroit native Aretha Franklin sings the National Anthem prior to the start of the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings game Getty 49/50 2017 Aretha Franklin performs during the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" Premiere Concert Getty/Tribeca Film Festival 50/50 2017 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates its 25th year Getty 1/50 1968 Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 and went on to earn the title ‘The Queen of Soul’ for her services to music since the late 60s Getty 2/50 1967 She signed to Atlantic Records in 1967 Rex 3/50 1968 Franklin achieved huge success with songs including “Spanish Harlem”, "I Say a Little Prayer" and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Getty 4/50 1974 She first sang as part of a gospel at a Detroit church where her father, C.L, was the pastor before embarking upon a full-time career in 1960 Rex 5/50 1977 Portrait of American soul singer Aretha Franklin Getty 6/50 1977 She won 18 Grammys Rex 7/50 1980 Aretha Franklin has sold over 75m records worldwide Getty 8/50 1981 George Benson and Aretha Franklin at the Greek Theatre Rex 9/50 1986 Aretha Franklin Showtime TV Special. In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Rex 10/50 1992 American music executive Clive Davis and Aretha Franklin attend an event together Getty 11/50 1993 Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross perform at the Inaugural Gala for President Bill Clinton Rex Features 12/50 1994 US actor Kirk Douglas applauds singer Aretha Franklin at a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognised American performance artists who have made lifetime contributions to American culture AFP/Getty 13/50 1997 Aretha Franklin singing during the inaugural gala dedicated to US President Bill Clinton in Landover AFP/Getty Images 14/50 1998 Aretha Franklin had a a cameo appearance in cult classic 'The Blues Brothers' Rex Features 15/50 1998 Aretha Franklin poses with the Blues Brothers John Goodman, left, J.Evan Bonifant, second left, Joe Morton, second right, and Dan Aykroyd, right, after performing at the 40th Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York AFP/Getty 16/50 1998 Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti laughs along with singer Aretha Franklin and the group Boyz II Men after accepting the eighth MusiCares Foundation "Person of the Year" award in New York AFP/Getty 17/50 1999 US President Bill Clinton along with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton award singer Aretha Franklin with the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award AFP/Getty 18/50 2001 Aretha Franklin with show host and producer Don Cornelius Getty 19/50 2001 Aretha Franklin performs at the conclusion of the Lane Bryant Spring/Summer 2001 Lingerie Show at Studio 54 AFP/Getty Images 20/50 2001 Aretha Franklin performing with Bishop Morton at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' Getty 21/50 2001 Aretha Franklin onstage performing at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' Getty Images 22/50 2002 Torchbearer Aretha Franklin carries the Olympic Flame during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay in Detroit Getty Images 23/50 2003 Carly Simon, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin perform on stage during Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala Getty 24/50 2005 Aretha Franklin and actor Hugh Jackman perform onstage at the 59th Annual Tony Awards Getty 25/50 2005 Aretha Franklin is presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civil award, by President George Bush at the White House Getty 26/50 2005 Aretha Franklin (L) and Stevie Wonder onstage at the 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards Getty Images 27/50 2006 Aretha Franlkin and Aaron Neville perform the National Anthem prior to the start of Super Bowl XL between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan Getty 28/50 2006 Aretha Franklin appears at Berklee College of Music commencement in Boston along with singer Melissa Etheridge, who both received honorary degrees for their achievements in music Getty 29/50 2007 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 22nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York Getty 30/50 2008 Aretha Franklin arrives at the 2008 MusiCares person of the year, which was honoring herself Getty 31/50 2008 Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles Getty 32/50 2009 Aretha Franklin and Josh Groban perform during the Mandela Day Celebration Concert in New York City. Getty 33/50 2009 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting Getty 34/50 2010 Aretha Franklin and Ron Isley perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center for Performing Arts Getty 35/50 2010 Comedian Jamie Foxx leads singer Aretha Franklin to the stage as she is inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame Getty 36/50 2011 US President Barack Obama kisses Aretha Franklin as First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar applaud after Franklin performed at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington AFP/Getty 37/50 2011 Aretha Franklin and Elton John attend Tony Bennett's 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts at The Metropolitan Opera House Getty/Tony Bennett 38/50 2011 Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett perform onstage Getty 39/50 2011 Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey during the taping of the second to last Oprah Winfrey Show at the United Center in Chicago AFP/Getty 40/50 2011 Aretha Franklin performs to a SRO audience at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Getty 41/50 2012 Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson attend the BET Honors 2012 Pre-Honors dinner at the Corcoran Gallery of Art Getty 42/50 2012 Aretha Franklin performs during the BET Honors 2012 at the Warner Theatre Getty 43/50 2012 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 10th Annual TV Land Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory Getty 44/50 2013 Aretha Franklin performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington AFP/Getty 45/50 2014 Reverend Al Sharpton and Aretha Franklin attend his 60th birthday celebration at the Four Seasons Restaurant Getty 46/50 2015 US President Barack Obama and outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder listen to singer Aretha Franklin at the Justice Department in Washington. The event marked Holder's anticipated departure after more than six years of service. AFP/Getty Images 47/50 2015 Pope Francis looks on as Aretha Franklin performs during the Festival of Families Getty Images 48/50 2016 Detroit native Aretha Franklin sings the National Anthem prior to the start of the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings game Getty 49/50 2017 Aretha Franklin performs during the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" Premiere Concert Getty/Tribeca Film Festival 50/50 2017 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates its 25th year Getty
She cancelled her tour dates in March after her doctor told her to “rest completely” for at least two months. One of the shows would have marked the “Respect” singer's 76th birthday.
In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Shock and concern have spread around the music world overnight following reports that soul singing great Aretha Franklin is "gravely ill".
Franklin, 76, is reportedly surrounded by her family and close friends in Detroit. The family is asking for prayers and privacy.
A source who has known Franklin since the start of her career told The Telegraph that Franklin's absence from the spotlight since the end of last year was "uncharacteristic".
The news was broken by Roger Friedman, a friend of Franklin's, on the entertainment website Showbiz411.
"Something's been happening with her health," a source told The Telegraph. "She's missed several high profile public engagements in recent months, including the funeral of Dennis Edwards, who was one of her lovers. It's uncharacteristic of her."
Edwards, who was a member of The Temptations, inspired Franklin's song Day Dreaming. In February, reports said she was unable to attend the memorial due illness but sent her condolences to be read to the family.
Evrod Cassimy, a reporter in Detroit and a close friend of the family, posted on Twitter that he had spoken to Franklin's family members this morning. "I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill", he posted. "I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release."
