Aretha Franklin reportedly 'gravely ill' in a Detroit hospital

The 76-year-old soul singing legend is said to be surrounded by family and friends as her health has deteriorated

The Queen of Soul is reportedly "gravely ill" in a Detroit hospital. AFP

The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is reportedly "gravely ill". According to Showbiz411, the singer's family and friends have travelled to be by her side at a hospital in Detroit and are "asking for prayers and privacy."

The 76-year-old has been battling numerous health problems over the years including pancreatic cancer in 2011. Her last performance came at an Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York on November 2, 2017. Earlier that year, she had expressed that it would be her last year performing.

While no other outlets have reported on her condition, an investigative reporter for NBC Philadelphia has tweeted:

Franklin has had a phenomenal career in the music industry that has spanned over 60 years. She's won 18 Grammy awards and has sold over 75 million records worldwide. Her hits include Respect, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, and Spanish Harlem. She also earned international acclaim when she stepped in for Luciano Pavarotti for a performance of Nessun dorma at the 1998 Grammys.

Click to watch her performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015:

Fans of the singer have also taken to social media to express their sadness at the news of her declined health:

We'll keep this story updated with any developments on her health.

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