Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, has died Thursday at the age of 76, according to her publicist.
Earlier this week the news broke that she was seriously ill and was being surrounded by loved ones.
The family added: "In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart.
We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family.".
We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on.
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With a career that spanned more than six decades, multiple number one hits and recipient of music's highest awards, Aretha Franklin is and always will be our Queen of Soul. »