Aretha Franklin 'gravely ill' and her family is asking for prayers

Soul singer Aretha Franklin is said to be sick. She is in Detroit surrounded with family but her illness hasn’t been revealed.

Showbiz 411 shared the news first and an investigative reporter also confirmed the reports about the 76-year-old singer’s ailing health.

Her family said she is "gravely ill" and asked for prayers and privacy for the iconic musician who has had health problems over the past few years.

For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa. Last summer she canceled a series of concerts citing "doctor's orders."

Franklin’s last performance was back in 2017. She performed in New York on November 2 at the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The star’s final public performance was at Philadelphia's Mann Center in August 2017. Early last year, she revealed that it would be her final year performing.

NBC Philadelphia's anchor investigative reporter, Harry Hairston, tweeted about her ill health as well. He said:

“Spoke with close friend of Aretha Franklin and family. Iconic singer not doing well.”

In February, during a Detroit radio interview, Franklin said, "I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it."

Radio host Tammi Mac, also spoke on KJLH in June, asking people to pray for Franklin. The radio station is owned by Stevie Wonder.

Franklin has struggled with weight issues throughout her life. She’s also struggled with alcoholism and was previously a chain smoker.

In her later years, the Queen of Soul canceled performances for undisclosed medical treatments on occasion. She denied reports that she was battling pancreatic cancer in 2011.

However, all three of her siblings have died due to cancer. Her brother Cecil, who was also her manager, died from lung cancer on December 1989.

In April 1988, Franklin’s sister Carolyn died from breast cancer, while eldest sister Erma passed from throat cancer in September 2002.

The family hasn’t released a statement yet.