The undisputed Queen of Soul has passed on, aged 76.
Tributes from around the world are flowing in for Aretha Franklin, who has sadly passed away aged 76.
Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/jW4Gpwfdts
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 16, 2018
Franklin was a cornerstone for the music industry, shaping and inspiring the careers of so many. She also received many accolades for her own work.
Forty albums, 45 songs in the top 40 charts, including what is regarded as her most well-known hit, Respect, with more chart toppers than any other female musician ever, Aretha leaves the world with an impressive cannon of musical work.
Mourning fans have gathered around Franklin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to pay their respects.
Franklin was born in Memphis in 1942, and shortly began her career singing in the gospel choir at her father's Baptist church.
She was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is widely regarded as the Queen of Soul.
In a family statement, her loved ones revealed the singer died from advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type.
"In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds," the statement said.
"We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world.
"Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."
Former President Barack Obama shared a heart-warming tweet about the late musician, who performed at his inauguration.
Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/bfASqKlLc5
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 16, 2018
Franklin is survived by her four sons, Ted Jr, Clarence, Kecalf and Edward.
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