Yesterday, it was reported that Aretha Franklin was gravely ill and that she was likely to pass away soon. The Queen of Soul had dropped under 90 pounds, and her family was warned of her condition. Since then, the music community collectively shared their condolences, admiration, and respect for Franklin. Unfortunately, it appears her condition has gotten worse.
According to CNN's Don Lemon, Aretha Franklin is in hospice care at her home. A source close to the legendary singer informed Lemon about the end-of-life care. Franklin's health has been deteriorating slowly for years, and in 2011, rumors surfaced that she was suffering from cancer. Although Franklin denied the claims, her health continued to decline. She retired from touring last year but continued to book more intimate performances. Her last appearance was in November at Elton John's AIDS Foundation event.
Franklin is more than a legend or an icon. Her storied career spans entire lifetimes. She sang at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral, she was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and she performed at the inaugurations of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
