Basic Details:
- Name: Aretha Louise Franklin
- Age: Passed away at the age of 76 (born March 25, 1942 – died August 16, 2018)
- Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- Profession: Singer, songwriter, pianist
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- School: Northern High School, Detroit
- Nickname: The Queen of Soul
- Nationality: American
- Awards: 18 Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honoree (1994), Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005), among others
Net Worth: At the time of her death, Aretha Franklin’s net worth was estimated to be around $80 million.
Career:
i. Overview:
Aretha Franklin was an influential singer and songwriter known for her powerful voice and her role in shaping the sound of American soul music. Throughout her career, she released numerous hit songs, including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
ii. Milestones and Achievements:
- Began her career as a gospel singer in the 1950s
- Signed with Atlantic Records in 1966, which led to her first big hits
- Released iconic albums such as “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You” (1967) and “Lady Soul” (1968)
- First woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
- Received 18 Grammy Awards and sold over 75 million records worldwide
- Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005)
Personal life:
i. Relationships:
Aretha Franklin was married twice, first to Theodore White from 1961 to 1969, and then to Glynn Turman from 1978 to 1984.
ii. Family:
Aretha was the daughter of Barbara and Clarence LaVaughn “C. L.” Franklin, a Baptist minister. She had four children: Clarence, Edward, Ted White Jr., and Kecalf Cunningham.
iii. Controversies:
Aretha Franklin’s personal life was marked by several ups and downs, including tumultuous relationships and financial issues.
Trivia and Lesser-Known Facts:
- Aretha Franklin was largely self-taught as a pianist, and she learned to play by ear.
- She received an honorary doctorate from Harvard University in 2014.
- Franklin performed at the inaugurations of three U.S. presidents: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
Social Media Links:
As Aretha Franklin has passed away, her social media accounts are managed by her estate.
- Instagram: @arethasings
- Twitter: @ArethaFranklin
- Facebook: Aretha Franklin
