The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin has died of Pancreatic cancer, at the age of 76 in Detroit.
Franklin died at home in Detroit surrounded by Family and loved ones, her publicist said.
The singer who produced multiple hits over a decade and sang for royalties, presidents and the Pope, had reportedly been battling with advanced pancreatic cancer.
“We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins knew no bounds”, her family noted in a statement.
The legendary RnB singer was the winner of 18 Grammies and became a pop icon for her soulful music, some of which were hits such as “Respect” and “Chain of Fools”.
In 2010, she underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer and last year, she announced plans to retire after releasing one final album.
She last performed in November 2017, at the Elton John AIDS Foundation gala in New York, but in March, cancelled two concerts in New Jersey.
In 2005, she was awarded the presidential medal of freedom. Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, the daughter of well known pastor and civil rights activist, C. L Franklin.
At a young age, she moved to Detroit and stayed there, putting down roots and built her reputation as the Queen of Soul.
