*Lester Holt, Shonda Rhimes, Bette Midler, Ava DuVernay, Bill Cosby and Chance the Rapper are among those who have paid tribute to Aretha Franklin, who died Thursday at the age of 76.
“Feeling overwhelmingly sad,” Holt tweeted. “Thank you Aretha Franklin for the gift of your voice and your soul. Rest in peace.”
“Lucky enough to have seen Aretha live exactly once, and this was it,” Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote. “Thank you for the music, we will be listening to you forever.”
Motown founder Berry Gordy also issued a statement, saying:
“A national treasure to everyone. But to me personally, Aretha Franklin was my dear, dear friend, my homegirl, and I loved her a lot. From seeing her as a baby singing and playing at the piano at her father’s home, to her giving a rousing performance atthe White House, she has always been amazing. No matter how the music has changed over the years, she remained so relevant. Though never signed to Motown, Aretha was considered part of my family. We always shared fond memories of the Motor City, life, and just things. Her passing is not only a tremendous personal loss for me, but for people all over the world who were touched by her incredible gift and remarkable spirit. Aretha Franklin will always be the undisputed Queen of Soul, and her legacy will live forever. My condolences go out to her sons, other family members, friends and fans. I will miss her.”
OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Aretha Franklin Has Died at Age 76
Lucky enough to have seen Aretha live exactly once, and this was it.
Thank you for the music, we will be listening to you forever https://t.co/aMHIBFaTAs— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) August 16, 2018
Earlier this week, a person with direct knowledge of Franklin’s health condition told the Associated Press that she was “seriously ill.”
Franklin, who long battled diabetes and other health ailments, announced in February 2017 that she planned to give up touring. “I am retiring this year,” she told WDIV Local 4 in Detroit. “I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.”
Following news of her passing on Wednesday, Donald Trump was among those who paid tribute to the R&B legend, saying in a tweet, “The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!”
See additional tweets from celebs below:
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018
Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I’ve ever known. ?????????? #Aretha
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 16, 2018
R E S P E C T
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 16, 2018
Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/jW4Gpwfdts
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 16, 2018
The loss of @ArethaFranklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists. pic.twitter.com/ug5oZYywAz
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018
Mourning the loss today of @ArethaFranklin who shared her spirit and talent with the world. She deserves not only our RESPECT but also our lasting gratitude for opening our eyes, ears and hearts. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 16, 2018
“Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew
I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you
Life was so unkind
But you’re the key to
My peace of mind.”
Her voice/swagger was peerless.
Thank you, #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5gp0OP10Jf— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 16, 2018
RIP Aretha Franklin what a voice x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) August 16, 2018
RIP Aretha Franklin ?????
— TEYANA M.J. SHUMPERT (@TEYANATAYLOR) August 16, 2018
Feeling overwhelmingly sad. Thank you Aretha Franklin for the gift of your voice and your soul. Rest in peace.
— Lester Holt (@LesterHoltNBC) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin – I want to thank her for her wonderful voice singing the theme song of “A Different World.” She made a big, strong positive impact on that series.
I am playing a cut from her… https://t.co/1U69Q8RiF9
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) August 16, 2018
The moment I wake up, before I put on my make up, I say a little prayer for you
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) August 16, 2018
This photo was taken in 2012 when Aretha & I performed at a tribute celebration for our friend Marvin Hamlisch. It’s difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer,but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world pic.twitter.com/Px9zVB90MM
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) August 16, 2018
What a life. What a legacy!
So much love, respect and gratitude.
R.I.P. @ArethaFranklin https://t.co/400K1U5IHI— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 16, 2018
Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/bfASqKlLc5
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Kennedy Center… https://t.co/T4MENufJVz via @YouTube
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) August 16, 2018
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