Aretha Franklin is reportedly in hospice care at her Detroit home surrounded by family and friends as celebrities stop by and send prayers for the queen of soul.
“Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, is in hospice care at her home tonight,” CNN’s Don Lemon reported Monday night.
On Tuesday, WDIV in Detroit reported that Stevie Wonder had paid a visit to the legendary 76-year-old singer following reports that she was “gravely ill” and that friends had reportedly been informed that “she could go any time.” (RELATED: Aretha Franklin Cancels Several Performances So She Can Rest)
“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 WDIV tweeted Monday.
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
Shortly after news broke, celebrities reached out via Twitter to send their thoughts and prayers to the “Natural Woman” singer. Beyonce and Jay-Z dedicated their concert at Ford Field in Detroit Monday night to Franklin.
“We love you,” Beyonce shared, thanking the “Respect” singer for “the beautiful music.”
After performing the opening song with Jay-Z, Beyoncé said: “This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin,” while also saying, “We love you and thank you” #OTII #Detroit
— Ford Field (@fordfield) August 14, 2018
Praying for Aretha Franklin and her family right now!
— Ciara (@ciara) August 13, 2018
Praying for the Queen of Soul #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5cfNPrQrq3
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 13, 2018
My prayers are with Aretha Franklin & her family during this difficult time LOOK BELOW @ what I tweeted at the top of the year we MUST CELEBRATE the Living Legends while they are here to see it. So many have given us decades of Timeless music…https://t.co/VVacLxcMSI
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 13, 2018
Adding my prayer to the galaxy of prayers for Aretha today https://t.co/DsG1ccqKnC
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) August 13, 2018
Franklin has been fighting health issues for the last few years, being forced to cancel several concerts last summer “per doctor’s orders.”
Last spring, she shared that she was ready to retire after the release of her latest album.
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.