Reports have surfaced that iconic soul singer Aretha Franklin is “gravely ill.”
Franklin’s family told WDIV Local 4 in Detroit that the soul singer is “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.
No official statement has been issued, but the news comes after Franklin was forced to cancel several shows last year citing doctors orders.
The news also comes after the 76-year-old singer announced last year that she planned to retire.
“I must tell you, I am retiring this year,” Franklin told WDIV Local 4 in Detroit. “This will be my last year. I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.”
Back in 2010, Franklin underwent surgery prompting the singer to cancel months of concerts. And although she never officially revealed her ailment, People reported that the soul singer was battling pancreatic cancer.
“I feel great,” she told JET magazine at the time. “The doctors say I can do whatever I feel like I am up to do. Of course, that doesn’t mean any concerts or anything like that. But I can do things around the house, and today I am just piddling around the house.”
