Aretha Franklin, born on March 25, 1942, was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and pianist known as the Queen of Soul. She began her music career at a young age, releasing her first album in 1956. Franklin's powerful voice and emotional delivery brought her widespread acclaim, with hits like "Respect," "Natural Woman," and "Think" becoming classics. Throughout her career, she won numerous awards, including 18 Grammy Awards. Aretha Franklin's contributions to music and civil rights have solidified her as one of the greatest singers of all time. She passed away on August 16, 2018, leaving a lasting legacy on the music industry.