Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)
Aretha Franklin, the undisputed “Queen of Soul” who sang with matchless style on such classics as “Think,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and her signature song, “Respect,” and stood as a cultural icon around the globe, has died at age 76 from pancreatic cancer.
Section:Gallery
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FILE- In this April 19, 2017, file photo, Aretha Franklin performs at the world premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" at Radio City Music Hall, during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Charles Sykes Invision
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FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2017 file photo, Aretha Franklin attends the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 25th Anniversary Gala in New York. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Andy Kropa Invision
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FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2015 file photo, Aretha Franklin performs as Pope Francis is seated left, looks on during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Matt Slocum Associated Press
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FILE - In this May 29, 2014 file photo, singer Aretha Franklin waves as she receives an honorary Doctor of Arts degree as Chilean author Isabel Allende, left, and former Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg, right, look on during Harvard commencement ceremonies in Cambridge, Mass. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Steven Senne Associated Press
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FILE - In this May 17, 2011 file photo Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey acknowledge fans during a star-studded double-taping of "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular," in Chicago. "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which helped spawn a media empire, ended its run in May. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Charles Rex Arbogast Associated Press
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FILE - In this July 26, 2010 file photo, soul singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in Philadelphia. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Matt Rourke Associated Press
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FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2009 file photo, Aretha Franklin performs at the inauguration for President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Ron Edmonds Associated Press
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FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2005 file photo, President George W. Bush awards singer Aretha Franklin the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award, the highest civilian award, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Lawrence Jackson Associated Press
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FILE - In this June 4, 2005 file photo, Aretha Franklin performs at the McDonald's Gospelfest 2005 in New York. The event celebrates gospel music and features a talent competition for choirs, steppers, praise dancers and soloists. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Diane Bondareff Associated Press
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FILE - In this Dec. 4, 1994 file photo, President Bill Clinton, from right, and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton applaud the 1994 Kennedy Center Honors award recipients, from left, songwriter Pete Seeger, director Harold Prince, composer Morton Gould, singer Aretha Franklin and actor Kirk Douglas during a reception in the East Room of the White House. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Doug Mills Associated Press
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FILE - In this April 28, 1993 file photo, Aretha Franklin, foreground left, performs in the finale of "Aretha Franklin: Duets," an AIDS benefit concert for the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York, as singers Smokey Robinson, background from left, Gloria Estefan, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt and actors Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro look on. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Ron Frehm Associated Press
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FILE - In this July 5, 1989 file photo, Aretha Franklin performs at New York's Radio City Music Hall. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Mario Suriani Associated Press
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FILE - In this Aug. 30, 1988 file photo, Aretha Franklin joins George Michael during his Faith World Tour in Auburn Hills, Mich. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Robert Kozloff Associated Press
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FILE - In this Jan. 11, 1987 file photo, soul singers James Brown and Aretha Franklin sing during a Home Box Office taping at the Taboo night club in Detroit. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Joe Kennedy Associated Press
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FILE - In this March 3, 1975 file photo, singer Aretha Franklin poses with her Grammy Award for for best female R&B vocal performance for "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" at the 17th Annual Grammy Award presentation in New York. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
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FILE - In this April 8, 1975 file photo, singer Aretha Franklin performs during the 47th Annual Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Anonymous Associated Press
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FILE - In this March 26, 1973 file photo, soul singer Aretha Franklin appears at a news conference. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Anonymous Associated Press
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FILE - In this March 13, 1972 file photo, Aretha Franklin holds her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blue performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," in New York. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Dave Pickoff Associated Press
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This March 26, 1972 file photo shows the Rev. Jesse Jackson speaking to reporters at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic in New York as Tom Todd, vice president of PUSH, from second left, Aretha Franklin and Louis Stokes. A person close to Franklin said on Monday that the 76-year-old singer is ill. Franklin canceled planned concerts earlier this year after she was ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest up.
Jim Wells Associated Press
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