BARACK OBAMA “SHE HELPED DEFINE THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE".

ARETHA LOUISE FRANKLIN was an American soul and R&B singer, she was born March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. She was called the "Queen of Soul", she was best known for her songs "Respect", "Think", "Chain of Fools" and "You Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman". Franklin is one of the most honored artists by the Grammy Awards with 18 competitive Grammys and two honorary Grammys.

Since 1961, she had a total of 45 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. She also had 14 singles that sold more than one million more than any other female artist, between 1967 and 1982 she had 10 #1 R&B albums more than any other female artist.

In 2005, she was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. On February 6, 2006, she performed along with Aaron Neville, "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XL. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her at top of its list "The Greatest Singers of All Time".

In 1975, Franklin was awarded an honorary Doctor Of Law Degree by Bethune–Cookman University, she also received an honorary from The University of Michigan in 1987, she also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Wayne State University in 1990, she also received an honorary from The New England Conservatory of Music (NCE) in 1997.

2006 she got an honorary Doctor of Music degree by the Berklee College of Music, she also received an honorary Doctor from The University of Pennsylvania in 2007, The Brown University in 2009, honorary Doctorate in Music from Yale University in 2010. Doctorates in music from Princeton University in 2012, honorary Degree from Harvard University in 2014.

In 2010, Franklin underwent cancer surgery for purported pancreatic cancer. In 2013, she cancelled two tours due to an unknown illness. In 2017, Franklin cancelled many concerts due to an unknown illness. She asked her fans to keep her in their prayers.

On August 13, 2018, Franklin was reported to be gravely ill at her home near Detroit. She was reported to be under hospice care and surrounded by friends and family. Ex-husband Glynn Turman, Stevie Wonder, Jesse Jackson and among others visited her on her deathbed. Franklin died at home on August 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. aged 76. The cause was reported to be advanced pancreatic cancer.

Barack Obama said she "Helped Define the American Experience". Al Sharpton called her a "Civil Rights and Humanitarian Icon"

Numerous celebrities in the entertainment industry and politicians paid tribute to Franklin, including Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, John Lewis, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Donald Trump.