Aretha Franklin “gravely ill” with cancer – Report

Aretha Franklin

American music legend, Aretha Franklin, is “gravely ill”, multiple media outlets have reported.

Online celebrity tabloid, TMZ, quoted an unnamed friend of the 76-year-old as saying a week ago: “Prepare yourself, she’s dying.”

The source added that Aretha was down to 86 pounds and her health was failing, and everyone in her circle told: “She could go any time.”

Another source – someone who has been close to Aretha for decades – told TMZ she has been battling cancer.

Showbiz411’s Roger Friedman, who first reported the news that Aretha is “gravely ill” on Sunday, said the Queen of Soul’s family is “asking for prayers and privacy.”

No further details about her health are immediately available.

Well-wishers have taken to Twitter to send their condolences to Aretha and her family, urging them to stay strong.

Below are some of the tweets;