Jennifer Hudson of 'Dreamgirls' Fame Pays Tribute to Late Soul Legend Aretha Franklin on Her Birthday

Famous actress and singer Jennifer Hudson takes to social media to pay a heartwarming tribute to the late legend, Aretha Franklin.

Jennifer Hudson, also known by her nickname J Hud, is an American singer and actress. The 38-year-old singer recently took to her Instagram page to pay a touching tribute to the late queen of soul music, Aretha Franklin, on her birthday.

The post featured a throwback photo of the black beauty along with an emotional caption that wished the late music icon a happy birthday. It read,

"Happy Birthday to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin! Sending you all my love and thinking of you always."

The update prompted several positive responses from Hudson's fans as they took to the comments section to wish Franklin a "heavenly happy birthday."

Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 25, 1942. She rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, placing seventh. Hudson made her film debut as Effie White in "Dreamgirls."

She started as a gospel singer thanks to her father, C.L Franklin, who at the time was a reverend father. When she clocked 5, she moved to Detroit after her father became pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church.

She spent her last moments surrounded by family at her home in Detroit.

She would later go on to tour the country in her father's gospel caravan before signing a contract with Columbia records. Her career didn't take off until she landed a deal with Atlantic Records, where her 1967 album "I Never Loved A Man" went gold.

The talented soul singer had three siblings, a brother, and two sisters. She also had a stepbrother from her mom's previous relationship.

Franklin's parents were never divorced; however, they were separated. After the separation, her mom, Barbara, moved to Buffalo, New York. However, she would often return to Detroit to see Franklin and her siblings.

Aretha Franklin died in 2018. She was aged 76, and she spent her last moments surrounded by family at her home in Detroit.

Franklin, who was a mother-of-four, had advanced pancreatic cancer and was receiving care before she finally gave up the ghost.

After news of her death was announced, several high profile individuals, including former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, took to social media to post touching tributes to the Queen of Soul. RIP Franklin!