Born from two gospel singers in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 25th, 1942, Aretha Louis Franklin was destined for a life of stardom, but not without some challenges.
Aretha has always been extremely private about her personal life. Her mother reportedly abandoned her family when Franklin was ten, the world later found out she died March 7, 1952. She has four kids in which the father is not publicly known for two of. She was married twice, the first being Glynn Turman with the marriage lasting 1978-1984, then to Ted White from 1961-1969, both ending in divorce. In 1979 her father was shot by burglars. She rarely discusses her father's death to the media in hopes to keep it private.
In 1956 Franklin's first recording is released entitled "Spirituals", which later was re-released as "Songs of Faith: The Gospel Sound of Aretha Franklin". Just four years later in 1960, Franklin signed with Columbia Records, but her success didn't come immediately. It wasn't until 1967 when her first number one single "Respect" was released alongside other hits "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Baby I Love You."
"Respect" went on to win her the first two of her now eighteen Grammy awards in 1968.
In 1987 Franklin made history by becoming the first female to ever be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Just a few years later in 1991, Franklin receives the Grammy Legend Award before going on to win eight more Grammy awards in her career, including a Lifetime Achievement award.
One of Franklin's greatest accomplishments was being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2004. She received this for helping shape the United State's artistic freedom. Five years later in January of 2009, Franklin held the honor of performing at the Presidential Inauguration of President Barack Obama.
In February 2017, Franklin announces her retirement from performing. The singer said she would still be recording a final album, but no longer would be in concert after a lifetime of performing. Franklin has been not only the voice of a generation, but she has become an iconic star whose voice and songs will live on forever.
Franklin passed away in her home August 16th, 2018 surrounded by her family in friends after being diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Franklin's legacy will live on for generations to come and will likely never be forgotten.
