American music legend, Aretha Franklin, is “gravely ill”, multiple media outlets have reported.
Online celebrity tabloid, TMZ, quoted an unnamed friend of the 76-year-old as saying a week ago: “Prepare yourself, she’s dying.”
The source added that Aretha was down to 86 pounds and her health was failing, and everyone in her circle told: “She could go any time.”
Another source – someone who has been close to Aretha for decades – told TMZ she has been battling cancer.
Showbiz411’s Roger Friedman, who first reported the news that Aretha is “gravely ill” on Sunday, said the Queen of Soul’s family is “asking for prayers and privacy.”
No further details about her health are immediately available.
Well-wishers have taken to Twitter to send their condolences to Aretha and her family, urging them to stay strong.
Below are some of the tweets;
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
Thinking this morning of the legend herself, Aretha Franklin the mighty, the incomparable, and wishing her peace in body and mind. pic.twitter.com/PWzaNRKAMC
— wikipedia brown ✨ (@eveewing) 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
Aretha Franklin is the reason I started writing songs and performing.
A true voice for the voiceless for nearly 60 years, here’s the Queen of Soul, 73 years old, in better voice than ever, making Obama cry.❤️#MondayMorning
h/t @Lady_Star_Gempic.twitter.com/ajOrQfSbTT— Holly Figueroa O’Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) August 13, 2018
RESPECT THE ARETHA FRANKLIN FOREVER.
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) August 13, 2018
Aretha Franklin absolutely stealing the show at the 2015 Kenedy Centre Honours. Some of her tracks from the 60s are up there with my favourites, but none send shivers down my spine quite like this performance pic.twitter.com/NHtWhqXOhy
— columbo Ⓥ (@t0mbstoneblues) August 13, 2018
“Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you, life was so unkind
But you’re the key to my peace of mind.”Aretha Franklin: You make me feel
like a natural woman. pic.twitter.com/odT3mvKeA8— Dianne Sherman (@dsherman2407) August 13, 2018
Praying for Aretha Franklin and her family right now! ❤️🙏🏽
— Ciara (@ciara) August 13, 2018
I posted this video about two weeks ago on Instagram.. Now I’m hearing the sad news that everyone is saying their goodbyes. I hope you fight through this Aretha Franklin! WE LOVE YOU QUEEN! pic.twitter.com/iOAEhcBqxP
— The very last to fly (@AthosCursedGift) August 13, 2018
This is *the* most powerful #ArethaFranklin performance you will ever watch. It’s the one that made Obama cry. As she sings Natural Woman the blonde woman you see is Carole King who wrote the song. You will not regret taking a few mins to watch it https://t.co/1NtKe2l5fI
— Louisa Compton (@louisa_compton) August 13, 2018
Prayers going up for the Queen of Soul tonight. Music just wouldn’t be same if not for Aretha Franklin. pic.twitter.com/oHHO5Kvfah
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) August 13, 2018
