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"Queen Of Soul" Aretha Franklin Reportedly Gravely Ill

August 13, 2018 / 7:57 AM CDT / CBS Texas

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DETROIT (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Legendary singer Aretha Franklin is in a Detroit hospital and is said to be gravely ill.

Family and friends have gathered by her side and are asking for prayers and privacy.

The 76-year-old Queen of Soul has battled a number of health problems over the years.

Singer/musician Aretha Franklin attends the opening of the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium at Jazz at Lincoln Center. (credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Jazz at Lincoln Center)

On doctor's orders, Franklin canceled a series of concerts last summer. This year Franklin canceled both a March 25 show in Newark, New Jersey, that would have taken place on her birthday, and a scheduled appearance at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Franklin's last live performance was in November of 2017 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Fans and friends, including Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott, offered prayers and well wishes to the Queen of Soul.

Praying for the Queen of Soul ???????? #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5cfNPrQrq3
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 13, 2018

Carey considers Franklin one of her biggest influences. Missy Elliott said that the public has to celebrate iconic artists before they die.

Mark Frost, Andy Cohen and Ciara also posted about Franklin, who is considered one of the greatest singers of all-time and is known for hits like "Respect" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."

My prayers are with Aretha Franklin & her family during this difficult time ???????? LOOK BELOW @ what I tweeted at the top of the year we MUST CELEBRATE the Living Legends while they are here to see it. So many have given us decades of Timeless music...❤️ https://t.co/VVacLxcMSI
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 13, 2018

Early last year the Queen of Soul announced that she was retiring. "This will be my last year," Franklin said in February of 2017. "I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it."

The American icon said she wasn't going to be completely inactive and would still perform "some select things," but wanted to spend time with her grandchildren.

Aretha Franklin's first two Grammy Awards - for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - were for her 1967 recording of "Respect." In all, she was the recipient of 20 Grammy Awards and 3 Lifetime Achievement Awards, and was the first woman to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.