Pictures of Aretha Franklin Through the Years
A Look Back at Aretha Franklin's Soulful 76 Years of Life — in Pictures
Image Source: Getty / Hulton Archive
After a lengthy battle with cancer, Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76 on Aug. 16, leaving behind a musical legacy that will never be forgotten. Immediately following her passing, celebrities including Lenny Kravitz, Shania Twain, Shonda Rhimes, former President Barack Obama, and more paid their respects to the Queen of Soul with heartfelt tributes on social media. To honor Aretha's memory, we're taking a look back at some of her most notable pictures through the years, ranging from passionate concert performances to glamorous award show appearances. Queue up our playlist of essential Aretha songs, and take a look through the snapshots ahead.
1968
Image Source: Getty / Express Newspapers
1968
Image Source: Getty / Bettmann
1968
Image Source: Getty / Hulton Deutsch
1970
Image Source: Getty / Chris Walter
1975
Image Source: Getty / Bettmann
1977
Image Source: Getty / Hulton Archive
1981
Image Source: Getty / Corbis
1981
Image Source: Getty / Roger Ressmeyer
1983
Image Source: Getty / David Turnley
1983
Image Source: Getty / Chris Walter
1983
Image Source: Getty / Bettmann
1983
Image Source: Getty / Bettmann
1990
Image Source: Getty / Paul Natkin
1990
Image Source: Getty / Paul Natkin
1992
Image Source: Getty / Hulton Archive
1992
Image Source: Getty / Mark Reinstein
1992
Image Source: Getty / Mark Reinstein
1993
Image Source: Getty / Mark Reinstein
1994
Image Source: Getty / L. Busacca
1994
Image Source: Getty / L. Busacca
1994
Image Source: Getty / L. Busacca
1995
Image Source: Getty / Jeff Kravitz
1995
Image Source: Getty / Jeff Kravitz
1995
Image Source: Getty / Steve Eichner
1997
Image Source: Getty / KMazur
1998
Image Source: Getty / KMazur
1998
Image Source: Getty / STAN HONDA
1998
Image Source: Getty / Mitchell Gerber
2001
Image Source: Getty / George De Sota
2001
Image Source: Getty / Scott Gries
2001
Image Source: Getty / Scott Gries
2002
Image Source: Getty / Todd Plitt
2002
Image Source: Getty
2003
Image Source: Getty / Frank Micelotta
2003
Image Source: Getty / SGranitz
2004
Image Source: Getty
2005
Image Source: Getty / Ralph Notaro
2006
Image Source: Getty / Mychal Watts
2007
Image Source: Getty / Peter Kramer
2008
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter
2009
Image Source: Getty / Jason Kempin
2010
Image Source: Getty / Leigh Vogel
2011
Image Source: Getty / Monica Morgan
2012
Image Source: Getty / Kris Connor
2013
Image Source: Getty / Bobby Bank
2014
Image Source: Getty / Larry French/BET
2015
Image Source: Getty / Rob Kim
2016
Image Source: Getty / Steve Mack
2017
Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill
2017
Image Source: Getty / Theo Wargo
