Aretha Franklin, the 76-year-old "Queen of Soul," was said to be “gravely ill” and her family has gathered to be with her in Detroit, Showbiz411’s Roger Friedman reported on Sunday.
It was unclear what health issues Franklin was facing but relatives confirmed the news of the seriousness to WDIV Local 4. Friedman said she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2010. This year her doctors had forced her into virtual seclusion to protect her health.
A close friend shared on Twitter that Franklin was asking fans to keep her in their prayers, prompting a heartfelt response from Missy Elliot.
Franklin has reportedly been unwell for some time and her waning health has forced her to step away from the spotlight, an unnamed source told The Telegraph.
“Something's been happening with her health,” the source said. “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.”
Franklin last performed in November at the Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York City, and she has had to cancel a series of concerts following that event upon her doctor’s recommendations.
Earlier this year her management released a statement explaining that Franklin had been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely “for at least the next two months,” Rolling Stone magazine reported.
The announcement was made shortly before she was due to perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
“Aretha was working on an album with Stevie Wonder, and had a project on the go with Lionel Richie," the source told The Telegraph. “By virtue of her not performing publicly since last year, she's been unwell since then.”
Franklin revealed last year that she would be retiring but would continue to perform on occasion.
“I feel very, very enriched and satisfied with respect to where my career came from, and where it is now,” she said at the time. “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 entered the music scene as a teenage gospel star and proceeded to dominate the industry for several decades. She went on to produce a string of hits, including “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “I Say A Little Prayer”; and a chart-topping duet with George Michael, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” according to her official biography.
Her musical career is studded with an extensive list of notable achievements, including dozens of Grammy Awards as well as receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement and Grammy Living Legend award.
In 2012 her contribution to the music world was ultimately acknowledged by being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.