The Queen of Soul has passed away at the age of 76 due to pancreatic cancer, her family has confirmed. All around the world people are mourning the loss of Aretha Franklin taking to social media to share what her voice meant to them.
Her family issued a statement to announce her passing:
"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. 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.”
“We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet.
Aretha began her journey in gospel music at her father's church in Detroit at New Bethel Baptist Church, where she always stayed close to. In an interview with Time Magazine she returned to the church to perform. About singing in church, she said, “you have the ethereal feeling there. It is the house of the Lord. It is the Supreme Being. So there is no greater space to sing in than the church.”