Aretha Franklin Illness Update: Queen Of Soul Still In Serious Condition

Update: 8/16/18- 10:05 a.m. EDT- Aretha Franklin's publicist confirmed to the Associated Press that the singer died Thursday at her home in Detroit.

Original Story:

Aretha Franklin is clinging on to life as she is surrounded by her loved ones at her Detroit home, according to a report. Last week, the 76-year-old was said to be "gravely ill" as she allegedly battled with pancreatic cancer.

Franklin is reportedly under the care of hospice workers as "doctors are managing the process."

“She has been having lucid moments and she is at peace with her journey," a source told Entertainment Tonight. "She is where she is supposed to be, at home and surrounded by only love."

Franklin "has been sick for a long time but didn't want to share her pain with the world," ET reported.

"She has always been a very private person and the last thing she wanted was to reveal this difficult time in her life with her fans," the source said. "She's loved her life and in the last year talked so much about her incredible memories. She has earned the title as the Queen of Soul and that is how she wants to be remembered.”

Reports of her hospitalization come nine months after her last performance at the Elton John AIDS Foundation party in New York in November 2017. The singer suffered from a string of health problems in the last few years.

On Tuesday, Franklin's famous friends, including Rev. Jesse Jackson and her ex-husband, actor Glynn Turman, arrived at the star's home to visit her, the Associated Press reported.

“Aretha Franklin has been the Matriarch of the Franklin family since the passing of all of her siblings,” Gwendolyn Quinn, a representative for Franklin, told ET. “The love she has for her family is above reproach and was evident in the warm smiles she was able to share with her nephew during his very brief visit two weeks ago. She is seriously ill and surrounded by family members who appreciate the outpouring of love and support they have received.”

Earlier this week Franklin's nephew, Tim Franklin, confirmed the singer's status to People, saying the "Queen of Soul" was "alert" and resting at home.

After reports of Franklin's illness surfaced, tributes poured in asking for her speedy recovery. Former president Bill Clinton tweeted late Monday asking others to "lift" the ailing star.

"Like people all around the world, Hillary and I are thinking about Aretha Franklin tonight & listening to her music that has been such an important part of our lives the last 50 years," the tweet read. "We hope you'll lift her up by listening and sharing her songs that have meant the most to you."

In 2011, Franklin was reportedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but she denied reports that she carried the disease. However, she later admitted to having had a tumor removed. Franklin also struggled with alcoholism, obesity and a heavy smoking habit.

Franklin has won 18 Grammy awards, sold more than 75 million records and sung at three presidential inaugurations, including Barack Obama's in January 2009.