Aretha Franklin Dies at 76 From Pancreatic Cancer

Update: Aretha Franklin died Thursday, Aug. 16, at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer. Her publicist confirmed the news to the Associated Press.

Aretha Franklin is “gravely ill,” according to family friend and Detroit news anchor Evrod Cassimy. Franklin is “asking for your prayers at this time,” Cassimy tweeted Monday morning.

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

The legendary singer, 76, is an 18-time Grammy winner with a career spanning about six decades. Franklin is “surround by family and people close to her” in Detroit, according to Showbiz 411.

Franklin announced her retirement from performing in 2017, though she was still recording music and doing a few select concerts. In March, Franklin canceled a couple shows on her doctor’s orders, according to Rolling Stone.

Fans reacted to the news on Twitter.

When I saw Aretha Franklin trending my heart sank. There are no words to describe the many feelings she has given me with her music. I LOVE ARETHA! Reports are she is “gravely ill”. This song seems right today! (Feel free to post more here!) #queenofSoulhttps://t.co/BzgT1oQRqa

— Del Shores (@DelShores) August 13, 2018

If you haven’t already, now is the time to explain to your child, teen or young adult why Aretha Franklin is so very important to the both the world in general & the world of music.

— Haught’s Heart ???? ???? – Kindness is the way ???? (@HaughtsHeart) August 13, 2018

Keep Aretha Franklin and her loved ones lifted in prayer. Praise her while she’s still here with us. #ArethaFranklin #Aretha #Prayers

— LaLa Jones (@Elle_Jaysss) August 13, 2018

Aretha Franklin was a teenage mom who had her 1st child at 14 & her 2nd at 16. She didn’t let that stop her from becoming the Queen of Soul.

Now the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is gravely ill. Hang on, Queen. We still need your soul. pic.twitter.com/italjrNllF

— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) August 13, 2018