Aretha Franklin is “gravely ill” as she remains at a Detroit hospital Monday surrounded by family and friends.
The legendary 76-year-old singer’s family confirmed the news to WDIV in Detroit.
“BREAKING NEWS: I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. I spoke with her family members this morning. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release,” an anchor with the station tweeted. (RELATED: Aretha Franklin Cancels Several Performances So She Can Rest)
Singer Aretha Franklin performs at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 25, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Getty Images)
BREAKING NEWS: I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. I spoke with her family members this morning. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release.
— Evrod Cassimy (@EvrodCassimy) August 13, 2018
A short time later, he shared that he had spoken to Franklin and she was “resting.”
“Just got a chance to speak to Aretha Franklin. She is resting and surrounded by close friends and family. More details ahead on Local 4 News at 12 p.m. #ArethaFranklin #aretha,” the Detroit Anchor tweeted.
Just got a chance to speak to Aretha Franklin. She is resting and surrounded by close friends and family. More details ahead on Local 4 News at 12pm. #ArethaFranklin #aretha
— Evrod Cassimy (@EvrodCassimy) August 13, 2018
The news comes after TMZ reported that a source close to the “Natural Woman” singer said that her health was failing.
“Prepare yourself, she’s dying,” the source shared, adding that her weight was down to 86 pounds. People in her circle were also told a week ago that ‘she could go any time.'”
Another source shared that Franklin has been battling cancer.
The “Respect” singer has been fighting health issues for the last few years, being forced to cancel several concerts last summer “per doctors orders.”
Last spring, Franklin shared that she was ready to retire after the release of her latest album.
“I must tell you, I am retiring this year,” Franklin explained. “I feel very, very enriched and satisfied with respect to where my career came from and where it is now. I’ll be pretty much satisfied, but I’m not going to go anywhere and just sit down and do nothing.”
“That wouldn’t be good either … [I’ll be open] to some select things, manly one a month, for six months out of the year,” she added. This will be my last year. I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.”
Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She has had more than 20 number one singles in her career and was awarded in 2005 the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President George W. Bush.