Aretha Franklin reportedly 'gravely ill,' sources say
Sarika Jagtiani
Aretha Franklin, 76, is reported to be "gravely ill" and surrounded by friends and family, according to multiple sources.
The news first broke Sunday evening by longtime showbiz columnist Roger Friedman on his blog Showbiz411, and was echoed Monday morning by Detroit's NBC TV affiliate, WDIV Local 4.
A person close to the singer confirmed reports of the singer's health to the Associated Press on Monday.
The singer has canceled multiple tour dates this year, most recently the show planned for June 28 at the Toronto Jazz Festival. That was a rescheduled performance from 2017, according to the Detroit News.
It was the third canceled performance this year, behind a birthday show planned for March 25 in New Jersey and an appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 28.
In an interview with Detroit reporter Evrod Cassimy last year, Franklin said she would retire from touring after the release of her latest album.
A biopic about the soul singer's life starring Jennifer Hudson is in the works.
The Detroit News contributed to this report.
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