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Aretha Franklin -- "The Queen of Soul" with a legendary career spanning five decades -- has died at the age of 76. The beloved music icon died on Thursday in her home, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
The icon's death had Hollywood in mourning, as her music certainly influenced many who came after her. Almost immediately after the news broke, performers like Barbra Stewisand and John Legend, as well as actors, actresses and other stars celebrated her life and legacy on social media.
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Aretha Franklin Dies at 76
View Story"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," wrote Streisand. "Her voice; her presence; her style. No one did it better," shared Lionel Richie, "truly the Queen of Soul. I will miss you!"
Many others also simply shared photos or the word "RESPECT," her most well-known song, Elton John shared a lengthy tribute, while friend Don Lemon called into CNN to remember her, audibly breaking down as he spoke about the loss.
Barack and Michelle Obama also issued a statement, writing: "America has no royalty. But we do have a chance to earn something more enduring …. Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade — our power and pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect."
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Don Lemon Chokes Up While Paying Tribute to Friend Aretha Franklin Live on CNN
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