Aretha Franklin

1942 – 2018

Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist universally known as the Queen of Soul and twice named the greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone. Across a six-decade career she recorded landmark singles including "Respect," "Natural Woman," "Chain of Fools," and "Think," and won 18 Grammy Awards while becoming the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She sang at the inaugurations of three U.S. presidents and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

Last checked: May 10, 2026, 1:06 PM