Queen of Soul also leaves a powerful civil rights legacy
Aretha Franklin, who was born and rose to fame during the segregation era and went on to sing at the inauguration of the first black president, often used her talent, fortune and platform to inspire millions of black Americans and support the fight for racial equality.
"The earth lost a lot of music when she went home today, but the heavens rejoice. Heaven has a new lead singer for the gospel choir," said the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a longtime friend who visited her the day before her death. "She gave so much to so many people, from Dr. King, to Mandela, to Barack Obama."
Franklin, who died Thursday at 76, was a close confidante of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.