Aretha Franklin, the legendary musician known as the Queen of Soul, has died at age 76. 

Franklin died this morning in her Detroit home from pancreatic cancer, her publicist confirmed to the Associated Press. The AP also reported earlier this week that the singer was “seriously ill.” 

“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,” Franklin’s family said in a statement to the AP. “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.”

Franklin’s discography includes iconic hits like “Respect,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Chain of Fools.” She was nominated for 44 Grammy Awards and won 18. She was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She was also a civil-rights activist.

Fans immediately took to social media to mourn the beloved singer. Here are some tributes shared by celebs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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