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.
Image caption The star's albums include Lady Soul and I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin is "seriously ill" and receiving hospice care in Detroit, according to US media.
Friends and family are reportedly at her side, as support flooded in online from friends and fellow artists.
Known as the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin's career spans seven decades.
The 76-year-old cancelled planned concerts earlier this year due to health concerns and was ordered by doctors to rest for two months.
Last year she indicated her plans to retire from touring following the release of a new album.
Separately, celebrity website TMZ has also reported that a "long-time friend was told a week ago 'prepare yourself, she's dying.'"
Skip Twitter post by @TMZ Source close to Aretha and a longtime friend tells TMZ he was told a week ago, "Prepare yourself, she's dying." The source adds Aretha was down to 86 pounds and her health was failing. The source says 2 weeks ago everyone in Aretha's circle was told "she could go any time." — TMZ (@TMZ) August 13, 2018 Report
The 18-time Grammy winner is one of the best-selling artists of all time and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Aretha Franklin is best known for songs including Respect and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.
She performed at President Barack Obama's first inauguration in January 2009, and she moved the 44th president to tears when she performed at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honours ceremony.
Fellow performers Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott sent prayers to her on Twitter, along with the civil rights campaigner Reverend Al Sharpton and former president Bill Clinton.
Skip Twitter post by @BillClinton Like people all around the world, Hillary and I are thinking about Aretha Franklin tonight & listening to her music that has been such an important part of our lives the last 50 years. We hope you’ll lift her up by listening and sharing her songs that have meant the most to you. — Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 14, 2018 Report
In 2017, Aretha Franklin told a local Detroit news station that she would be retiring after collaborating on a new album with Stevie Wonder.
"I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert," she told WDIV Local 4. "This is it."
She last performed at an event for Elton John's AIDS foundation in November 2017.
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UPDATE: Aretha Franklin is in hospice care at her home, a close friend confirmed to CNN.
Reports that the Queen of Soul was "gravely 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.
DETROIT - Aretha Franklin, "The Queen of Soul," is gravely ill, her family told Local 4 on Monday.
BREAKING NEWS: 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 (@EvrodCassimy) August 13, 2018
Update: Aretha Franklin: 'Resting and surrounded by family and friends'
Franklin, 76, was born in Memphis, Tenn. in 1942, the daughter of the famous pastor and civil rights activist C. L. Franklin. When Aretha was just 2 the family left Memphis for New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, and a Motor City legend was ready to be born.
Related: Tributes, prayers pour in for 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin
Franklin has the third-most Grammy Awards for any female artist in history.
In an interview last year, Franklin said she had plans to "retire" after the release of her new album.
"I must tell you, I am retiring this year," Franklin said.
Franklin said she was "exuberant" about her new album and "can't wait to get in the studio." The album was released in September, with a tour that included only select dates. She wouldn't have more than one date planned per month, and the full tour was to last "maybe for six months," she said at the time.
Franklin spent 56 years as a legendary singer and songwriter.
"This will be my last year," Franklin said. "I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it."
She was not retiring completely. She said she would do "some select things, many one a month, for six months out of the year." But she said her grandchildren are leaving for college and she wants to spend time with them.
MORE: Quick facts about Aretha Franklin, 'The Queen of Soul'
Franklin said the announcement is bittersweet because "it's what I've done all of my life."
"I feel very, very enriched and satisfied with respect to where my career came from, and where it is now," Franklin said. "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."
Franklin said since she's been extremely active throughout her career, it wouldn't be good for her to just sit down and do nothing, so that's why "she's keeping the one or two concerts in every month or so."
She also talked about what to expect in the new album.
"Of course, several of the songs are going to be produced by Stevie (Wonder), and of course there's only one Stevie, right?" Franklin said.
She said she couldn't wait for the new CD, which goes in several different directions.
"It's kind of multi-(directional)," she said. "We're not pigeonholed to any one thing."
Franklin said was recording exclusively in Detroit.
"I keep my business in Detroit, or as close to Detroit as possible," Franklin said.
Here is her performance in Detroit on Sept. 5, 2011:
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