Aretha Franklin Is “Seriously Ill”: Report (Updated)
Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Music News Aretha Franklin
8/16 Update: Aretha Franklin died this morning at her home in Detroit at the age of 76 from advanced pancreatic cancer.
Original Story: Aretha Franklin is “seriously ill,” a person close to the legendary soul singer told the Associated Press on Monday.
The AP source spoke on the condition of anonymity, and no other details were provided. The Queen of Soul is 76.
Detroit reporter/news anchor Evrod Cassimy shared a similar report on Monday morning, explaining that Franklin is “gravely ill” and “asking for your prayers at this time.”
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
Franklin announced her retirement from touring last year, and has since canceled planned concerts on doctor’s orders. The singer also canceled concerts in 2016 for health reasons.
As we await more information on the singer’s condition, revisit our list of the 10 best Aretha Franklin songs and our Paste Quarterly story on Franklin’s seminal I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You. Below, watch 1971 footage of Franklin singing hits like “Respect” via the Paste vault.