American soul singer, Aretha Franklin has died.
Franklin has battled undisclosed health problems for several years.
She died at the age of 76.
Publicist Gwendolyn Quinn tells The Associated Press via a family statement that Franklin died Thursday at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit. The statement said “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.
She was known for hit songs like “Respect” and “Natural Woman.”
She had been trending on social media this week, as fans prayed for her recovery.
On Wednesday, more than 100 people reportedly gathered for a vigil at Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church, which was founded by Franklin’s father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin to pray for her.
