Her parents separated when she was six years old. Four years later, her mother died of a heart attack. Driven by a desire to preach the good news, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Her father eventually landed at New Bethel Baptist Church, where he gained considerable fame as a preacher. ¹⁾

At the age of 13, she became a mother for the first time, giving birth to her son Clarence. She did not name the father; she called him Romeo. The second child, Edward, was born two years later - both sons took the surname Franklin. ²⁾

Franklin's career did not blossom immediately, but finding recognition and commercial success came after signing with Atlantic Records in 1966. Hit songs such as “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “Respect,” (You Make Me Feel Like) “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools ”, “Think” and “I Say a Little Prayer” placed her alongside musical peers who also enjoyed success. ³⁾

Franklin recorded 112 hit singles that charted on Billboard, including 17 top pop singles and 20 number one R&B singles. ⁴⁾

She has received numerous honors. She was awarded the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1987, she became the first artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ⁵⁾