Aretha Franklin is reportedly “gravely ill” right now. Ms. Franklin is semi-retired from performing and touring, and she’s been hospitalized several times in the past decade, partly because she was battling cancer. The issue I’m having is that everyone is citing the same Showbiz411 exclusive, which may be legit, although I feel like the Queen of Soul would probably have a publicist who would confirm this to the AP or Reuters.
This is exclusive, and heart breaking for me and for the family and friends of the great Aretha Franklin. She is gravely ill in Detroit. The family is asking for prayers and privacy.
Originally diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Aretha, who turned 76 in March, bravely battled back and refused to be knocked out by illness. Her last performance as on November 2, 2017 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York. Her final public performance was at Philadelphia’s Mann Center in August 2017. It was a miraculous show as Aretha was already then fighting exhaustion and dehydration.
Aretha is surrounded by family and people close to her. She will be so missed as a mother, sister, friend, cousin. But her legacy is larger than life. It’s not just that Rolling Stone called her the number 1 singer of all time, or that she is the Queen of Soul. Long live the Queen.
Aretha Franklin means everything to everyone. She’s a civil rights icon, the greatest singer of all time, an iconic voice of feminism and R-E-S-P-E-C-T. If this exclusive is true, we need to form a prayer circle around Ms. Franklin.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
No no no no nooooooooooooooooooo no no. Just no.
I cried for hours. And now knew you were waiting for me is on repeat. Aretha is irreplaceable.
Such heartbreaking news.
The Beatles were my first electrifying experience (via Ed Sullivan) with R&R, but I quickly graduated to Aretha and Stevie Wonder whose music has since been a backdrop to my life.
Those videos are spectacular. Also view the video of Aretha at the Kennedy Center Honors 2015. President Obama and Michelle Obama in attendance with POTUS wiping away a tear. Spectacular.
OMG— I can’t imagine losing her. The last performance I saw of hers was at the Kennedy Center Honors. She sang Natural Woman in honor of Carole King. She played the piano, threw off her fur, and sang like no one’s business.
Sending prayers to the Queen of Soul. We were upset when she cancelled her show here earlier this summer. I have seen her in concert about a dozen times and it was always an incredible experience. And if she does somehow pull through this, she should be the Super Bowl halftime performer as her farewell performance, end of discussion.
My prayers to her.
That’s sad but why are they talking like she is gone already…people make miraculous recoveries all the time.
Yeah, premature announcements make me uneasy.
Me too. I knew she had been having health problems over the years, but haven’t heard anything about her in a while. Very sad.
The family has confirmed to local news that Aretha is on her way and been admitted to hospital. It’s so sad.
I will send my prayers for Aretha Franklin to get well. Please God, don’t let her die.. not today or at least not yet.
My prayers to Aretha and her family. I’m just so sad at this. Her songs got me thru some hard times.
This ruined my morning 😩😩😩😩 prayers to this queen
I agree with you, I was thinking that then I saw your comment.
Just now seeing the news here on CB. Took the sunshine out of my day. My heartfelt prayers go out to Ms. Aretha and her family, too.
Her cover of Elanour Rigby is the best thing ever put to record. Not sorry Paul.
What first class talent! Aretha and Tina Turner can really belt out a song.
No one currently can hold a candle to these two. Now it’s all looks and backup dancers.
True talent wins!
There are truly no words for describing how great of a singer she was in her prime. There has literally never been another human being with the quality and range of voice she had AND also the feeling, phrasing and timing. These aspects combined make her truly an immortal. I could listen to her sing everyday for the rest of my life and never be anything but amazed. What a gift she she shared with us – a Goddess for all time.
The voice of soul. Her blues album has pulled me through all my sad times. I love her. She’s a gift from god/dess.
May her journey be painless and joyful.
Oh, my heart is breaking with this news. I used to work in a hotel where I handled the entertainment. Ms Franklin stayed there frequently and had my personal number. She would call me up and talk about herself in the third person (“Ms Franklin needs [this or that].”) She was always very polite but knew what she wanted (or needed) and I would bend over backwards to get it done. A diva through and through but one that demanded and deserved respect (pun intended obviously). My thoughts are with Ms Franklin and her loved ones.
Whenever a celebrity dies and people say “the world has lost [fill in the blank]” I usually just shrug and think, yeah, it’s sad, but that’s still hyperbole. But in this case, if/when Aretha goes, it will truly be a global loss. Greatest singer ever.
For a sad comment on society, try viewing “Knew You Were Waiting” on youtube and see the many, many, many comments praising George Michael’s talent, but hardly any praise for Aretha. Now, I understand George Michael had a lot of fans, but how can you listen to the singers side-by-side and NOT be compelled to post about Aretha first and foremost?
I didn’t even know she had cancer… She is an amazing woman and entertainer. The last performance I remember watching of her was for the Kennedy Honors I believe and she brought the house down! I don’t think she’s really gotten her due to be honest.
Alreatha!! Nice tribute to the Queen. Prayers going up for ms. Franklin and her family, i read that she has already lossed some siblings to cancer.