The American “Queen of Soul” Aretha Louise Franklin died at the age of 76 last Thursday after suffering for months with a grave illness.
The Multiple Grammy winner was known for soul hits and crossover chart toppers such as “Respect,” “Freeway of Love” and “I Say a Little Prayer”. Born in Memphis, Tennessee the gifted singer and pianist was born on March, 1942, the fourth out of five children.
In 1987 when she became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The undisputed talent was able to sell more than 75 million records and win 18 Grammy Awards.
As a daughter of a Minister she started her career performing gospel music. Her father was a friend of Martin Luther King.
Her dad also served as her manager when she released her first album. She last performed at the Elton John’s AIDS Foundation party in New York City last November. She was forced to cancel a series of performances due to her critical illness. Aretha suffered from several health problems like alcoholism and heavy smoking and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010.
The feminist, voice of civil rights and soul music giant was a mother of two.