Aretha Franklin’s Life in Pictures

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Aretha Franklin's Life in Pictures

With the news of Aretha Franklin’s death at age 76 on Thursday, August 16, Us Weekly takes a look back at her iconic career. The Queen of Soul — who was born on March 25, 1942 — started her career as a gospel singer as a teenager and became a household name after signing with Atlantic Records in 1967, thanks to her hit songs “Respect” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Throughout her legendary career, she won 18 Grammy awards, was named the greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. She was also inducted in the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Franklin — who had been dealing with undisclosed health issues since 2010 — passed away at home in Detroit.

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Strike a Pose

The iconic singer wore a formfitting gown while posing for a portrait in 1964.

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Bling, Bling

Franklin showed off her diamond engagement ring in this headshot.

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Making Memories

Franklin’s husband and manager Ted White watched over the “Natural Woman” singer as she left Columbia Records and signed a contract with Jerry Wexler (far left) to join Atlantic in 1967.

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What a Character

Franklin did a little dance for the cameras in May 1968.

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All Dolled Up

The “Respect” singer applied eyeliner ahead of her performance at Symphony Hall in Newark, New Jersey, in 1969. The former chain smoker gave up cigarettes in 1992, later saying that it was "messing with my voice."

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Trendsetter

The Grammy winner wore winged eyeliner in a headshot taken in 1964.

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Wedding Bells

The “Baby, I Love You” songstress was a beautiful bride during her wedding to Glynn Turman in April 1978.

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Simply Fabulous

The “I Say a Little Prayer” songstress reclined on a sofa while posing for photos in 1973.

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Time for TV!

The “Chain of Fools” singer wowed the crowd at the Andy Williams Show in May 1969.

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Just Like Sunshine

Franklin slayed in a yellow and orange dress at the American Music Awards in January 1976, where Michael Jackson presented her with the award for Favorite Soul Female. 

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Lights Camera Action

The singer portrayed a sassy waitress in the Blues Brothers movie in 1980 and sang “Think.” 

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Glamorous

Franklin belted out one of her hits during a performance in January 1980.

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Two Icons

Franklin hung out with Oprah Winfrey backstage at a show at Radio City Music Hall in September 1991. The Queen of Soul would later perform a tribute to the Queen of Daytime at the finale of her talk show in 2011, singing “Amazing Grace."

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Lady in Red

Franklin wore a ruffled dress while performing at Radio City Music Hall in September 1991.

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Sing Your Heart Out

Franklin rocked a low-cut dress during a performance in 1969.

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Main Attraction

In January 1993, Franklin honored the inauguration of President Bill Clinton by performing in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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Dynamic Duo

In April 1993, Smokey Robinson gave the “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" singer a kiss on the cheek.

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Two of a Kind

The “Respect” singer joined Mariah Carey in April 1998 to perform together at VH1’s Divas Live concert at the Beacon Theater in New York City. In the days before Franklin’s death, Carey paid tribute to the singer on Twitter. 

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Pretty in Pink

Franklin sported an elaborate outfit at the JVC Jazz Festival concert at Lincoln Center in New York City in June 2000.

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A Special Guest

Franklin performed at Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, memorably spawning memes with her hat, and also made the former president cry at the White House during her performance of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” in 2015.

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Angelic

Franklin was a vision in white in April 2017, where she performed at Clive Davis’ Tribeca Film Festival Opening Gala at Radio City Music Hall.

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Iconic

The R&B singer proved she still had it when she performed at Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year event in November 2017, in what would be her last professional performance.