Celebrities are reacting to the death of Aretha Franklin.
The “Queen of Soul,” whose impassioned, riveting voice made her a titan of American music, died Thursday morning at her home in Detroit of pancreatic cancer, her niece Sabrina Owens confirmed to The Detroit Free Press. She was 76.
Here’s what stars are saying about the late legend.
President Trump called Franklin “a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice.” He added, “She will be missed!”
Donald J. Trump ✔@realDonaldTrumpThe Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!
During his Cabinet meeting Thursday, the president began by expressing his condolences “to the family of a person I knew well.”
“She worked for me on numerous occasions. She was terrific,” he said. “She brought joy to millions of lives and her extraordinary legacy will thrive and inspire many generations to come. She was given a great gift from God – her voice, and she used (it) well. People loved Aretha. She was a special woman. So just want to pass on my warmest, best wishes and sympathies to her family.”
On Twitter, Diana Ross reflected on Franklin’s “wonderful golden spirit.”
Ms. Ross ✔@DianaRossI’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.
Paul McCartney encouraged his followers to “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.”
Paul McCartney ✔@PaulMcCartneyLet’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
He continued: “She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever.”
Celine Dion called her the “most soulful and inspirational singer of our time.”
Celine Dion ✔@celinedionI'm saddened to learn that Aretha Franklin has passed.The most soulful and inspirational singer of our time. / Je suis attristée d'apprendre le décès d’Aretha Franklin. La chanteuse la plus inspirante de notre époque. - Céline xx…
: Kevin Mazur https://www.facebook.com/celinedion/photos/a.315768396650.156174.6624036650/10155601873416651/?type=3&theater …
Former President Barack Obama remembered Franklin and praised her legacy.
Barack Obama ✔@BarackObamaAretha 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.
“Aretha helped define the American experience,” he wrote. “May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace.”
Former first lady Michelle Obama also shared a message of remembrance.
Michelle Obama ✔@MichelleObamaWatching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still. @BarackObama and I are holding Aretha’s family in our hearts right now. She will forever be our Queen of Soul.
“Watching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still,” she tweeted. “She will forever be our Queen of Soul.”
Gospel star Kirk Franklin wrote, “Long live the Queen.”
Tyra Banks shared, “Aretha Franklin epitomized that fierce black woman soul with just enough touch of pain in her vibrato, to make every human bow down to those precious vocals that only she could produce. May the heavens above shout with eternal pride, R-E-S-P-E-C-T!”
Tyra Banks ✔@tyrabanksAretha the Queen. Aretha Franklin epitomized that fierce black woman soul with just enough touch of pain in her vibrato, to make every human bow down to those precious vocals that only she could produce. May the heavens above shout with eternal pride, R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
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Source: USA Today
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