Aretha Franklin Dies at 76: Andy Cohen, Kandi Burruss, and More Celebs React
The "queen of soul" passed away after a battle with cancer and celebrities are reflecting on her legacy.
Aretha Franklin, the undisputed "queen of soul," died on August 16 at the age of 76. The iconic singer — known for hits like "Respect" — passed away at her Detroit home after a battle with cancer.
Franklin's publicist Gwendolyn Quinn issued the following statement from the singer's family: "It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Aretha Louise Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Franklin, 76 years old, passed away on Thursday morning, August 16 at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit, MI, surrounded by family and loved ones. Franklin’s official cause of death was due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin’s Oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, MI. 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."
Franklin, of course, was also deeply loved in turn. Her fans from across the world included famous faces such as Andy Cohen (who once had tea with "the Queen!"), Kandi Burruss, Luann de Lesseps, Padma Lakshmi, and many, many more.
Read celebrity tributes to the incomparable talent, below.
