Aretha Franklin’s representative has confirmed the Queen of Soul is “seriously ill” and currently surrounded by loved ones.
Reports about the 76-year-old’s health began circulating on Sunday, when Showbiz 411 reporter Roger Friedman – a friend of the family – claimed she was “gravely ill” in Detroit.
Now, the legendary singer’s publicist has issued a statement to People magazine confirming Aretha is “seriously ill”.
“She is seriously ill and surrounded by family members who appreciate the outpouring of love and support they have received,” said her rep.
The statement added: “The love she has for her family is above reproach and was evident in the warm smiles she was able to share with her nephew during his very brief visit two weeks ago.”
The nature of Aretha’s illness has not been disclosed.
It’s been claimed she is receiving hospice care at home but that has not been confirmed by her family.
It’s reported several close friends and loved ones have visited her this week including fellow icon Stevie Wonder.
Superstar couple Beyonce and Jay Z are among the high profile fans who have led well-wishes to Aretha, after they dedicated their concert in Detroit to the star this week.
Beyonce told the crowd in Detroit, where Aretha grew up, that “this show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin. We love you and thank you.”
Others who are scheduled to visit Aretha this week include her ex-husband Glynn Turman and Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Aretha’s incredible and lengthy career began in the 1950s and has produced a slew of iconic songs such as ‘I Say A Little Prayer’, ‘Respect’, and ‘(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman’.
Dubbed ‘The Queen of Soul’, she has won 18 Grammy Awards, sold more than 75 million records and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Aretha announced plans to retire last year following one last album, in order to spend more time with her family.
She told Detroit’s WDIV Local 4 TV station: “This will be my last year. I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.
“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.”
Aretha has battled poor health in the past.
In 2010, she cancelled concerts and took a step back from the spotlight after abdominal surgery for an undisclosed illness.
She has never revealed what the surgery was for, saying: “I don’t have to talk about my health with anybody other than my doctors.”
Aretha was forced to cancel two concerts in March this year on doctors’ orders, including a concert that was scheduled to be held on her 76th birthday.
A statement released at the time said doctors had advised Aretha to rest for two months and she was “extremely disappointed” that she was unable to perform.
Aretha’s last public appearance was in November 2017, when she performed at a benefit in New York to mark the 25th anniversary of Elton John’s AIDS Foundation.
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