By Mark Gray
10:25am PDT, Aug 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin, one of the most respected and celebrated musical artists of all time, passed away on Aug. 16 at her home in Detroit, where she was receiving hospice care in the final days of her long battle with advanced pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type. She was 76. News of her death came after multiple reports indicated that she was "gravely ill." Aretha, dubbed the Queen of Soul, had been in poor health for several years. One of the most legendary performers of all time, Aretha won 18 Grammys and was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Last year, Aretha announced plans to retire from touring. Following her death, celebrities from all walks of entertainment shared their love for the icon. Keep reading to see how Aretha is being honored…
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"This is the face of a young man who couldn't believe he was actually singing with the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. Thank you, Ms. Franklin for blessing us with your incomparable gift. Honored to have shared the stage with you even for a moment. Always bowing down to you. #QueenofSoul" —Justin Timberlake
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"One of the highlights of my career was singing with #ArethaFranklin at The Tony Awards. It was an out of body experience for me. One of greatest singers of all time. You will be missed by all." —Hugh Jackman
"The loss of Aretha Franklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated — she was one of my favourite pianists. I was fortunate enough to spend time with her and witness her last performance — a benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at St John The Divine Cathedral. She was obviously unwell, and I wasn't sure she could perform. But Aretha did and she raised the roof. She sang and played magnificently, and we all wept. We were witnessing the greatest soul artist of all time. I adored her and worshipped her talent. God bless her. My condolences to all her family and friends. We shared the same birthday — and that meant so much to me. The whole world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. @arethasings #RIP#ArethaFranklin #QueenOfSoul @ejaf" —Elton John
"I can't remember a day of my life without Aretha Franklin's voice and music filling up my heart with so much joy and sadness. Absolutely heartbroken she's gone, what a woman. Thank you for everything, the melodies and the movements 💔" —Adele
"This morning my longest friend in this world went home to be with our Father. I will miss her so much but I know she's at peace. #QueenofSoul" –Smokey Robinson
"It was a double thrill for me to perform on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera on my 85th birthday and have the Queen of Soul (and heart) Aretha Franklin singing with me….she will be missed by the world." –Tony Bennett
"The Queen of Soul has left this earth to sit on her throne in heaven. How blessed we were to hear the best that God had to offer in her voice. RESPECT!" –Lenny Kravitz
"Her voice; her presence; her style… No one did it betterTruly the Queen of SoulI will miss you! @ArethaFranklin #QueenofSoul" –Lionel Richie
"I am deeply saddened about the passing of the Queen of Soul and my sister in song, Aretha Franklin. Today the world has experienced a tremendous loss. Aretha was a rare treasure whose unmatched musical genius helped craft the soundtrack to the lives of so many. My sympathy, love and prayers go out to her family, loved ones and fans across the globe. Rest in peace Aretha. " –Patti LaBelle
"That voice. That soul. That spirit. I was always a fan – aren't we all? Then, out of the blue, The Queen summoned me to tea last year at the Ritz. She wanted to talk Housewives. I was at her service. She talked about the ladies like they were characters on a Soap Opera and I interspersed questions about her life and career. We swapped numbers and texted about what was happening with the girls in Atlanta. She put me in her phone as 'Mr Cohen/Housewives.' It tickled me to no end. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN. 🐐" —Andy Cohen
"january last year my phone rings. i don't recognize the number… 'hello?' a woman responds, 'hello. i have miss aretha franklin for don cheadle?' 'what?!? wow! um, yes. of course. please, put her on!' then the same voice changes slightly 'this is aretha, honey …' she called to say she loved my movie @MilesAheadFilm and wanted to share some stories about when she met him (i'm keeping those to myself) and also to let me know she's been watching me and to stay in touch. i didn't want to let her go but didn't want to overstay me welcome. i told her i would reach out from time to time and asked her to please do the same. 'bye.' i just stood there for a minute, floored. i wanted to call my mom immediately but mom wasn't with us anymore. i hope she's with her now and tells her the same miles story she told me. mom has the same kind of humor. it'll definitely crack her up. her call meant as much or more to me than any compliment ever received. there will never be about her like her. the undeniable g.o.a.t.! and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. freedom. freedom. freedom …" —Don Cheadle
"Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade–our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace." –President Barack Obama
"Aretha was such a timeless inspiration to me and so many others, the ultimate queen, thank you for the gift of your voice, music and unshakeable soul" —Christina Aguilera
"The world lost an incredibly talented woman today. Rest In Peace, @ArethaFranklin… your legacy and music will forever inspire us and future generations" —Britney Spears
"Lucky enough to have seen Aretha live exactly once, and this was it. Thank you for the music, we will be listening to you forever." –Lin-Manuel Miranda, who shared a video of the Queen of Soul performing at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015
"The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!" –President Donald Trump
"I fall asleep tonight with a heavy heart & a prayer for my soul sister" –Chaka Khan, who posted this message along with a video of herself covering Aretha Franklin's hit song "Respect"
"We have lost the greatest singer of our time. As a songwriter, I know personally how meaningful a gifted interpreter of material can be. No one can replace her." –Billy Joel
"I'm sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin." –Diana Ross
"This photo was taken in 2012 when Aretha & I performed at a tribute celebration for our friend Marvin Hamlisch. It's difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer, but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world" –Barbra Streisand
"The @AmericanIdol fam had the great privilege of working with the iconic Aretha Franklin for a special ep in Detroit. The world will miss her as she's left an indelible mark on our culture. Her artistry & music will move & inspire us forever. Rest in peace to the Queen of Soul." —Ryan Seacrest
"What a life. What a legacy! So much love, respect and gratitude. R.I.P. @ArethaFranklin" –Carole King, who wrote one of Aretha's biggest hits, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
"I'm very sad to hear about Aretha Franklin passing. She was one of the greatest and most emotional singers. I used to love listening to her in the sixties but her music is timeless. Love & Mercy to Aretha's family and friends." –Brian Wilson
"As the One and Only 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin was simply peerless. She has reigned supreme. and will always be held in the highest firmament of stars as the most exceptional vocalist, performer and recording artist the world has ever been privileged to witness. Superlatives are often used to describe astonishing artists, but in my view even superlatives seem insufficient. Everyone who loved Aretha will be saying little prayers of gratitude, appreciation and respect for the musical life force that has enriched our lives. Her voice will soar on forever." –Annie Lennox
"Whether it was Gospel, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Pop,or Civil Rights, Aretha Franklin was the greatest gift and the voice of a generation. She could turn any song into a hymn. She will be greatly missed here on earth, but that band in heaven just got our Angel Rest In Peace Aretha" –Willie Nelson
"Let's all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul" –Paul McCartney
"God bless Aretha Franklin the queen of soul and peace and love to her family" –Ringo Starr
"Deeply saddened by the passing of a beloved friend and queen/warrior Aretha Franklin. Her contributions are legendary both personally and societally. We hope you take a pause today to remember the life of a beautiful soul." –Rev. Al Sharpton
"RIP to the #QueenofSoul Aretha Franklin. Your legacy will never be forgotten. Thank you for what you gave the world!" –Michael Strahan
"Today we have lost one of the greatest. She will always be remembered and admired. Aretha Franklin, rest in peace. We love you." –Ricky Martin
"Rest easy #ARETHAFRANKLIN I imagine u in heaven performing & still making people souls move this was my aunt favorite record #RockSteady you will always be the Queen of Soul you been that before many of us were born! Thank you for giving us LEGENDARY TIMELESS music" –Missy Elliott
"Oh queen oh queen how I cry to see you go. Like so many others I share the sadness of this loss. A true inspiration, a constant listen in my youth. I remember going deep into her B sides and live performances, always in awe of her ability. To discover the effortlessness of her gift, to take it in and experience the tones that shaped my love for singing. Her instrument like no other. Magic, pure magic. Thank you Aretha." —Kate Hudson
"For as long as I can remember, Aretha Franklin has been the absolute zenith, the guiding light, the master for any girl that aspired to sing or even just appreciated someone at the top of their game. I was blessed to have sung with her on more than one occasion and each time I felt that I was in the presence of musical royalty that would forever raise the bar and set the standard. Long live the Queen of Soul through her extraordinary & singular voice and her indelible music." –Gloria Estefan
"The greatest voice in American popular music has been stilled. Our beloved #ArethaFranklin has gone. For me, she was a musical lighthouse, guiding and inspiring with every note. I loved her so and love her still. Goodbye, Queen of Soul." –Bette Midler
"Goodbye Ms. Aretha. You were my idol. The greatest singer of all time. Every note you sang was pure and authentic and pierced our hearts with joy and pain and life." –Idina Menzel
"An unbelievable woman and voice. It was an honor to meet and perform with the Queen of Soul. RIP Aretha Franklin" –Shania Twain
"Queen… My Queen." –Anita Baker
"Mourning the loss today of @ArethaFranklin who shared her spirit and talent with the world. She deserves not only our RESPECT but also our lasting gratitude for opening our eyes, ears and hearts. Rest in eternal peace, my friend." –Hillary Clinton
"The moment I wake up, before I put on my make up, I say a little prayer for you" –Chance the Rapper, quoting a lyric from Aretha Franklin's 1968 recording of "I Say a Little Prayer,"
"My heart is heavy. When a baby is born, it cries while the world rejoices. #ArethaWilliams lived her life such that in her passing the world cries and Heaven rejoices. She is flying high with Him and no doubt singing Good News of Great Joy. Rest easy, friend 🙌🏾🙏🏾" –Montel Williams
"This is truly a sad day. rest peacefully queen. icon. my sincere condolences to her family. #ArethaFranklin" –Kelly Rowland
"Feeling overwhelmingly sad. Thank you Aretha Franklin for the gift of your voice and your soul. Rest in peace." –Lester Holt
"Queen watching you in this moment celebrate your birthday I thanked God for blessing me with the gift of Aretha. You taught me the meaning of 'Young, Gifted and Black' and you taught all people RESPECT. My heart hurts but the faith we often discussed is comfort as tears flow… Her wish was always for others to have peace and love. The only Queen. #Aretha Franklin I will keep the promise." –Tamron Hall, who posted this message alongside a photo with Aretha as the legend blew out the candles on her birthday cake
"The wondrous chorus of America at its best has lost a powerful voice. Aretha Franklin shook the heavens and our own complacency with her spirit and by tackling life with power and purpose. #Respect" –Dan Rather
"Remember when she stepped in last minute for Pavarotti at the Grammys and just shook us all to our core and made us question the universe by singing Nessun Dorma? #RipArethaFranklin" –Shonda Rhimes
"She was music. Soul, grace and respect! #ArethaFranklin #Musicares2008 #RIP" —John Stamos
"We mourn the passing of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Her voice will keep lifting us, through the music she gave the world. Our thoughts are with her family, her loved ones and fans everywhere. Take her hand, precious Lord, and lead her home." –Apple CEO Tim Cook
"Well done, my friend. Very, very well done.RIP Aretha Franklin." –Shaun Robinson
"So sorry to hear about the passing of such an icon. She was a pioneer who will always be missed and continue to touch the hearts of anyone who hears her music. My condolences and prayers are with her family at this time. #riparethafranklin #queenofsoul." –Martin Lawrence
"Song for the day: 'Respect' by Aretha Franklin …You leave us way too soon… RIP" –Carnie Wilson
"So sad. Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul has passed away. Our prayers and condolences to family, friends and fans." –Gene Simmons
