Aretha Franklin reportedly 'Gravely Ill,' Family Surrounds Her in Hospital to Say Goodbye
There’s nothing quite like a little soul music, the kind that gets you off your seat and on your feet like nothing else can.
Aretha Franklin has been an inspiration to many in the music industry and beyond for decades. The Gospel and R&B singer has 18 Grammy awards to her name.
From her first Grammy performance in 1971 to her most recent live performance in 2017, the legend probably most well known for her hit “Respect” has earned her place in the hearts of her fans.
Last year, WDIV-TV in Detroit reported that Franklin was retiring. “I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it,” she said.
But it seems the multi-award winning artist was not quite ready to retire. A report from Rolling Stone in March revealed Franklin had been scheduled for some concerts this year.
According to Rolling Stone, The Queen of Soul was set to headline alongside other big names like Aerosmith and Sting during the 2018 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in the spring.
But her performance was cancelled due to orders from her doctor who reportedly told the 76-year-old to “take a break from touring.”
She also had to cancel a birthday concert in Newark that was originally scheduled for March 25.
Now fans are saddened by recent reports that claim the Hall of Fame icon is “gravely ill.” A tweet early this morning indicated that Franklin is not doing well.
Evrod Cassimy, a news anchor in Franklin’s hometown of Detroit, wrote, “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,” Cassimy’s tweet continued. “She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release.”
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
Followers responded with heartfelt tweets offering their prayers and support. “Without the Queen it just isn’t going to be the same,” one Twitter user wrote.
According to a report from Cassimy Monday morning on WDIV, Franklin continues to ask for prayers and more information and updates will be released as they become available.
Our prayers are with her family and friends during this time. She is a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul.
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