Aretha Franklin American Singer (1942–2018)
Aretha Franklin · singer and songwriter · American
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Known for
Biography
Aretha Franklin (1942–2018) was an American singer from Memphis. Her death was on 16 August 2018, at the age of 76. The recorded cause of death is pancreatic cancer. She was known for The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).
Early life
She went on to study at Northern High School.
Career
Aretha Franklin’s releases on record are 73 albums and 28 singles between 1956 and 2017. She released The Gospel Soul of Aretha Franklin (1956) early on, and A Brand New Me (Aretha Franklin album) (2017) is the latest entry. The style on record is soul and funk. Aretha Franklin played piano. Record labels on file include Arista Records.
James Brown appears in three of her listed titles, including American Masters (1986). Other co-stars who recur in her credits are Dan Aykroyd (two titles) and Ray Charles (two titles). John Landis directed two of her titles on record.
Recognition
Her awards include an award at the Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards (2019). Her other honours include 18 Grammy Awards (between 1967 and 2007) and a Grammy Legend Award (1991). The nominations list includes the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1967. The records list 43 awards won and 53 nominations for her.
Personal life
Marriages on record are to Ted White (1961 to 1969) and Glynn Turman (1978 to 1984). She had 4 children on record.
Discography
101 releases| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | A Brand New Me (Aretha Franklin album) | Album |
| 2016 | Amazing Grace | Album |
| 2014 | Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics | Album |
| 2011 | A Woman Falling Out of Love | Album |
| 2009 | A Deeper Love: The Best of Aretha Franklin | Album |
| 2008 | This Christmas Aretha | Album |
| 2007 | Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen | Album |
| 2007 | Put You Up on Game | Single |
| 2007 | Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul | Album |
| 2003 | So Damn Happy | Album |
| 2002 | Respect – The Very Best of Aretha Franklin | Album |
| 2002 | The Queen in Waiting: The Columbia Years | Album |
| 2001 | Aretha's Best | Album |
| 1998 | A Rose Is Still a Rose | Album |
| 1998 | A Rose Is Still a Rose | Single |
Show all 101 releases
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Delta Meets Detroit: Aretha's Blues | Album |
| 1996 | Aretha Sings Standards | Album |
| 1996 | Love Songs | Album |
| 1995 | Greatest Hits: 1980-1995 | Album |
| 1994 | Willing to Forgive | Single |
| 1992 | Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings | Album |
| 1991 | What You See Is What You Sweat | Album |
| 1989 | Gimme Your Love | Single |
| 1989 | It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be | Single |
| 1989 | Through the Storm | Album |
| 1989 | Through the Storm | Single |
| 1987 | One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism | Album |
| 1987 | Platoon | Album |
| 1986 | Aretha | Album |
| 1986 | Soul Survivors | Album |
| 1985 | Another Night | Single |
| 1985 | First Lady of Soul | Album |
| 1985 | Freeway of Love | Single |
| 1985 | Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves | Single |
| 1985 | Who's Zoomin' Who | Single |
| 1985 | Who's Zoomin' Who? | Album |
| 1984 | Never Grow Old | Album |
| 1983 | Get It Right | Single |
| 1983 | Get It Right | Album |
| 1982 | Jump to It | Album |
| 1982 | Jump to It | Single |
| 1981 | Love All the Hurt Away | Album |
| 1980 | Aretha | Album |
| 1980 | Aretha Sings the Blues | Album |
| 1979 | La Diva | Album |
| 1978 | Almighty Fire | Album |
| 1977 | Sweet Passion | Album |
| 1976 | Something He Can Feel | Single |
| 1976 | Sparkle | Album |
| 1975 | You | Album |
| 1974 | I'm in Love | Single |
| 1974 | Let Me in Your Life | Album |
| 1974 | With Everything I Feel in Me | Album |
| 1973 | Angel | Single |
| 1973 | Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) | Album |
| 1972 | Day Dreaming | Single |
| 1972 | Young, Gifted and Black | Album |
| 1971 | Aretha Live at Fillmore West | Album |
| 1971 | Aretha's Greatest Hits | Album |
| 1971 | Rock Steady | Single |
| 1970 | Call Me | Single |
| 1970 | Spirit in the Dark | Album |
| 1970 | This Girl's in Love with You | Album |
| 1969 | Aretha's Gold | Album |
| 1969 | Soft and Beautiful | Album |
| 1969 | Soul '69 | Album |
| 1968 | (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone | Single |
| 1968 | Ain't No Way | Single |
| 1968 | Aretha in Paris | Album |
| 1968 | Aretha Now | Album |
| 1968 | Lady Soul | Album |
| 1968 | See Saw | Single |
| 1968 | Think | Single |
| 1967 | (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman | Single |
| 1967 | Aretha Arrives | Album |
| 1967 | Baby I Love You | Single |
| 1967 | Chain of Fools | Single |
| 1967 | Do Right Woman, Do Right Man | Single |
| 1967 | I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) | Single |
| 1967 | I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You | Album |
| 1967 | Sweet Bitter Love | Album |
| 1967 | Take a Look | Album |
| 1967 | Take It Like You Give It | Album |
| 1966 | Soul Sister | Album |
| 1965 | Once in a Lifetime | Album |
| 1965 | One Step Ahead | Single |
| 1965 | Songs of Faith | Album |
| 1965 | Yeah!: Aretha Franklin in Person | Album |
| 1964 | Runnin' Out of Fools | Album |
| 1964 | Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington | Album |
| 1963 | Laughing on the Outside | Album |
| 1962 | The Electrifying Aretha Franklin | Album |
| 1962 | The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin | Album |
| 1961 | Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo | Album |
| 1956 | The Gospel Soul of Aretha Franklin | Album |
| 30 Greatest Hits | Album | |
| Aretha Franklin - Greatest Hits | Album | |
| Greatest Hits: 1980–1994 | Album | |
| The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967–1970 | Album | |
| The Best of Aretha Franklin | Album | |
| The Very Best of Aretha Franklin, Vol. 1 | Album |
Awards and nominations
43 won, 53 nominated| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards | Won | |
| 2014 | honorary doctor of Harvard University | Won | |
| 2012 | Gospel Music Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 2010 | honorary doctor of Yale University | Won | |
| 2008 | Grammy Hall of Fame | I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You | Won |
| 2008 | MusiCares Person of the Year | Won | |
| 2007 | Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance | Won | |
| 2005 | Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance | Won | |
| 2005 | Presidential Medal of Freedom | Won | |
| 2003 | Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance | Won | |
| 2001 | Michigan Women's Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 2000 | Grammy Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 1999 | National Medal of Arts | Won | |
| 1998 | Grammy Hall of Fame | (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman | Won |
| 1998 | Grammy Hall of Fame | Amazing Grace | Won |
Show all 96 entries
| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Grammy Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 1997 | NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award | Won | |
| 1994 | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award | Won | |
| 1994 | Kennedy Center Honors | Won | |
| 1993 | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award | Won | |
| 1991 | Grammy Legend Award | Won | |
| 1988 | Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female | One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism | Won |
| 1987 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Aretha | Won |
| 1987 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Won | |
| 1987 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 1986 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Won | |
| 1985 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1984 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Won | |
| 1983 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album | Jump to It | Won |
| 1981 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1977 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Won | |
| 1976 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Won | |
| 1974 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1973 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1972 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Young, Gifted and Black | Won |
| 1972 | Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance | Amazing Grace | Won |
| 1971 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1970 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1969 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1968 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1967 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Won | |
| 1967 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance | Won | |
| star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Won | ||
| 2010 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | |
| 2008 | NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group | Nominated | |
| 2008 | NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Song | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song | Nominated | |
| 2005 | Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated | |
| 2004 | NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist | Nominated | |
| 2004 | Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album, Female | So Damn Happy | Nominated |
| 2003 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Album | So Damn Happy | Nominated |
| 2003 | Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance | Nominated | |
| 1999 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | |
| 1998 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | A Rose Is Still a Rose | Nominated |
| 1998 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Album | A Rose Is Still a Rose | Nominated |
| 1994 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1993 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1991 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | What You See Is What You Sweat | Nominated |
| 1991 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | |
| 1989 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Through the Storm | Nominated |
| 1989 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | |
| 1988 | Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female | One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism | Nominated |
| 1988 | Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album – Solo | One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism | Nominated |
| 1987 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Aretha | Nominated |
| 1987 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | |
| 1987 | MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film | Nominated | |
| 1987 | Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album – Group or Band | Amazing Grace | Nominated |
| 1986 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Nominated | |
| 1986 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1986 | MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video | Nominated | |
| 1985 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1985 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | |
| 1984 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Nominated | |
| 1983 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album | Jump to It | Nominated |
| 1983 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Nominated | |
| 1983 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Get It Right | Nominated |
| 1982 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1981 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1980 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1977 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Nominated | |
| 1976 | American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist | Nominated | |
| 1974 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1973 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1972 | Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1972 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Young, Gifted and Black | Nominated |
| 1972 | Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance | Amazing Grace | Nominated |
| 1971 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1970 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1969 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1968 | Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1968 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1967 | Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1967 | Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | |
| 1967 | Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance | Nominated |
Filmography
5 credits| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Amazing Grace | Film | |
| 2017 | Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives | Film | |
| 1998 | Blues Brothers 2000 | Film | |
| 1986– | American Masters | TV series | |
| 1980 | The Blues Brothers | Film |
Aretha Franklin on Social Media
Counts with the date they were read
YouTube Aretha Franklin
YouTube ArethaFranklinVEVO
Instagram @arethafranklin
282K
281,765 followers,
X (Twitter) @ArethaFranklin
Aretha Franklin Photos
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Photo: Llez · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Teresa Grau Ros · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Voice of America · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Pete Souza · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Elise Jakobsen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Jarc12030 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Boss Tweed from New York · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Joe Ortuzar · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Ryan Arrowsmith · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Atlantic Records · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions
How old was Aretha Franklin at the time of death?
Aretha Franklin died on 16 August 2018 at the age of 76. She was born on 25 March 1942.
What was Aretha Franklin’s cause of death?
According to Wikidata, Aretha Franklin died on 16 August 2018; the recorded cause of death is pancreatic cancer.
What is Aretha Franklin known for?
Aretha Franklin was known for The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).
What is Aretha Franklin’s nationality?
Aretha Franklin was American, born in Memphis.
Who was Aretha Franklin married to?
Aretha Franklin’s marriages on record are to Glynn Turman (1978 to 1984) and Ted White (1961 to 1969).
Has Aretha Franklin won any awards?
Yes. 43 awards are on record, including Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards (2019).
Sources
- Wikidata (Q125121), accessed October 2026
- Follower counts: dated individually above
- Photo: Atlantic Records (Life time: Published before 1978 without a copyright notice) · Public domain
Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team
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