Aretha Franklin, one of the most influential artists in music history, has died. She was 76 years old.
The news comes just hours after reports surfaced of Franklin being "gravely ill" and becoming hospitalized for unspecified health issues. She has battled with various health issues over the past few years, which also caused her to cancel multiple shows last summer.
Best known for her hits "Respect," "Think" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," Aretha Franklin rose to stardom in the 1960s. Her now-iconic voice brought over 100 singles to the Billboard charts and 21 tracks to the No. 1 spot. During her incredible career, she won 18 Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is also one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, selling more than 75 million records globally.
Some of country music's biggest stars also note Franklin as a major influence, including Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson and Martina McBride.
READ MORE: Watch Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Perform an Aretha Franklin Classic
This story will be updated.
