"Aretha" and "Queen of Soul" redirect here. For other uses, see Aretha (disambiguation) and Queen of Soul (disambiguation). Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin 1968.jpg Franklin in 1968 Born Aretha Louise Franklin March 25, 1942 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. Died August 16, 2018 (aged 76) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery Detroit, Michigan Occupation Singersongwriteractresspianistcivil rights activist Years active 1956–2017 Spouse(s) Ted White (m. 1961; div. 1969) Glynn Turman (m. 1978; div. 1984) Children 4 Parent(s) Clarence LaVaughn Franklin Barbara Siggers Franklin Relatives Erma Franklin (sister) Carolyn Franklin (sister) Cecil Franklin (brother) Awards see, list Musical career Genres SoulR&B[1]popgospeldancerock Instruments Vocalspiano Labels J.V.BColumbiaAtlanticAristaRCA Website Official website Edit this at Wikidata Signature Signature of Aretha Franklin.png Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, actress, pianist, and civil rights activist.[2] Franklin began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father C. L. Franklin was a minister. At the age of 18, she embarked on a secular-music career as a recording artist for Columbia Records. While Franklin's career did not immediately flourish, she found acclaim and commercial success after signing with Atlantic Records in 1966. Hit songs such as "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)", "Respect", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "Chain of Fools", "Think", and "I Say a Little Prayer" propelled her past her musical peers. By the end of the 1960s, Aretha Franklin had come to be known as the "Queen of Soul". Aretha's father's emotionally driven sermons resulted in his being known as the man with the "million-dollar voice". He earned thousands of dollars for sermons in various churches across the country.[21][22] His celebrity status led to his home being visited by various celebrities. Among the visitors were gospel musicians Clara Ward, James Cleveland, and early Caravans members Albertina Walker and Inez Andrews. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke all became friends of C. L. Franklin, as well.[23][24] Ward was romantically involved with Aretha's father from around 1949 to Ward's death in 1973, though Aretha "preferred to view them strictly as friends".[25] Ward also served as a role model to the young Areth
