SOUL legend Aretha Franklin has died from cancer aged 76, it was confirmed today.

The Respect singer passed away at 9.50am this morning at her home in Detroit after an eight-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

21 Aretha Franklin passed away at her Detroit home after a battle with cancer Credit: Getty - Contributor

The singer - dubbed the "Queen of Soul" - passed away on the same day the "King of Rock n' Roll" Elvis Presley died 41 years ago today.

Considered one of the greatest voices ever, Aretha’s dazzling music career included classic songs (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and I Say A Little Prayer.

Rolling Stone magazine named her the greatest singer of all time.

The mum-of-four died surrounded by loved ones in the town where she grew up, publicist Gwendolyn Quinn announced.

21 Franklin had battled pancreatic cancer for the past eight years Credit: Getty Images - Getty

21 The 'Queen of Soul', pictured in 1969, is considered one of the greatest singers ever Credit: Getty - Contributor

21 Franklin during her last appearance in November 2017 Credit: Rex Features

21 Franklin pictured in 1970 at the height of her fame Credit: Michael Ochs Archives - Getty

A family statement said: "Franklin's official cause of death was due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin's oncologist, Dr Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute.

"In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family.

"We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers.

"We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

21 Franklin passed away on the same day 41 years after Elvis, the King of Rock n' Roll Credit: Getty - Contributor

Iconic singer Aretha Franklin's legendary hits

21 Franklin with George Michael during his Faith World Tour in Auburn Hills, Michigan Credit: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

21 President Bush awards the singer the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 Credit: AP:Associated Press

Aretha Franklin sings 'I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)' at the White House

Tributes have now been pouring in for the legendary vocalist since the tragic news of her death broke.

Singer Barbra Streisand shared a picture of herself with Franklin taken six years ago as she paid tribute to the Queen of Soul.

Streisand wrote on Instagram: "This photo was taken in 2012 when Aretha and I performed at a tribute celebration for our friend Marvin Hamlisch.

"It's difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer, but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world."

21 Fellow singer Mariah Carey pictured with Franklin Credit: Getty - Contributor

21 Here she is performing during a live concert in 1970 Credit: This content is subject to copyright.

21 Franklin was a favourite of Barack Obama's and performed at his inauguration ceremony Credit: This content is subject to copyright.

21 Credit: Twitter

Broadcaster Tony Blackburn tweeted: "So sorry to hear about the death of Aretha Franklin at the age of 76. I've been playing her records since the 60's and thought her music was wonderful. R.I.P."

Singer John Legend wrote: "Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I've ever known. #Aretha."

Liam Gallagher tweeted: "RIP Aretha Franklin what a voice x".

Aretha last performed in November 2017 at the Elton John AIDs Foundation concert in New York.

She was born Aretha Louise Franklin in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25, 1942, to travelling Baptist preacher Clarence LaVaughn "CL" Franklin and mother Barbara, an accomplished singer and pianist.

21 Franklin pictured at the 2010 Apollo Theatre's Spring Benefit Concert Credit: EPA

21 Here she is pictured lying for a portrait on a couch in 1973 Credit: Michael Ochs Archives - Getty

Franklin's family relocated to Detroit, Michigan while she was still an infant.

Her father led the city's New Bethel Baptist Church, which became a centre for the civil rights movement.

But following her parents' separation, Franklin's mother moved to Buffalo in New York but she would frequently visit her children in Detroit.

When started singing in her father's Baptist church as a little girl, her powerful voice and soulful tone marked her out as a future star.

She was just 12 years old when she first fell pregnant with son Clarence, and then again aged 14, with son Edward.

21 This 1971 photo shows her proudly displaying her award commemorating the gold record status of her album Spanish Harlem Credit: Handout

Franklin's father later became famous for his emotionally charged sermons, becoming known as "the man with the million-dollar voice".

Franklin's childhood home was frequented by celebrities including civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr and singer Sam Cooke, while gospel singer Mahalia Jackson helped to take care of Franklin and her siblings following her mother's death.

Franklin's love and knack for all things musical started early on in her life, when she learned how to play the piano by ear and singing in church.

Her father became her manager and she joined him on his tours of churches across the country. She released her first studio album, Songs Of Faith, in 1956 when she was 14 years old.

At the age of 18 Franklin told her father she wanted to start singing and recording pop music.

She was signed by Columbia who released her first single on the label Today I Sing The Blues in 1960.

Her first single to land on America's main industry chart came the following year with Won't Be Long, but it was in the latter half of the decade that Franklin's commercial success really soared.

21 Here she is performing in a 1969 TV special Credit: Alamy

Franklin opted to move to Atlantic Records from Columbia in 1966 and the following year she scored her first top 10 hit with I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You).

Her album of the same name also featured her signature number, a rendition of Otis Redding's Respect, which topped the chart.

The song became widely considered as a feminist and civil rights anthem, and today still remains one of her most beloved songs.

The singer had a string of popular hits in the late 1960s including (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Chain Of Fools, Baby I Love You, and her version of I Say A Little Prayer by Dionne Warwick.

In June 1968, she appeared on the cover of Time magazine and earned the first of her 18 Grammy awards for Respect. She would be recognised at the Grammys with a lifetime achievement award in 1994.

Franklin's success continued into the 1970s with hits such as Spanish Harlem and Rock Steady.

She recorded an album of gospel material called Amazing Grace which sold millions.

The decade ended with her receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

21 Franklin is widely considered one of the greatest singers of all time Credit: Alamy

In the 1980s Franklin had left Atlantic, but she scored her first platinum-selling recorded in 1985 with her 33rd studio effort Who's Zoomin Who?

During her career Franklin performed duets with the likes of her goddaughter Whitney Houston, Elton John, George Michael and Frank Sinatra.

Franklin performed publicly for numerous world leaders including the Queen and at former US President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.

Franklin was married twice, first to guitarist Theodore "Ted" White with whom she had her third son Ted White Jr, who would later perform as a guitarist in Franklin's touring band.

Aretha Franklin performs 'Nessun Dorma' at the Grammy Awards, unrehearsed, after an ailing Luciano Pavarotti could not perform

21 'Queen of Soul' Franklin is pictured in 1967 Credit: Alamy

21 Franklin pictured with The Blues Brothers Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi Credit: The Hollywood Archive/KGC Photo Agency LLP

Aretha Franklin sings Precious Lord during Martin Luther King's funeral in 1968

21 Here she is pictured with her former husband Ted White in 1961

Franklin's marriage to White ended in divorce after eight years. Franklin had her fourth child Kecalf by tour manager Ken Cunningham in 1970.

In 1978 she married actor Glynn Turman at her father's church and the pair split in 1984.

She was twice engaged to long-term partner Willie Wilkerson, with the most recent being called off in 2012.

The singer had battles with her health and weight throughout her life.

Aretha was diagnosed with an "unspecified illness", widely reported to be pancreatic cancer, in 2010, forcing her to cancel a string of live shows.

Singer-actress Jennifer Hudson is set to play Aretha in an upcoming film of her rise to stardom.

21 Franklin poses for a photo in 1965 Credit: This content is subject to copyright.

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