Music · Activism · 1942–2018

Aretha Franklin Birthday, Age & Famous Birthday Twins

Born: 25 March 1942 · Died: 16 August 2018 · Age: 76

American singer known as the Queen of Soul, famous for Respect, Natural Woman and Think, with 18 Grammy Awards

Did you know?In nineteen eighty-seven, she became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Quick facts

  • Date of birth25 March 1942
  • Date of death16 August 2018
  • Age at death76
  • Cause of deathPancreatic cancer
  • NationalityAmerican
  • BirthplaceMemphis, United States
  • Occupationsinger, songwriter, activist

Editor's Take:

Aretha Franklin was the Queen of Soul. She grew up in Detroit, where her father was a famous preacher. She sang gospel in his church as a girl. At Atlantic Records in 1967 she found her voice with Respect and Natural Woman. Respect became an anthem of civil rights and feminism. She won 18 Grammys. She sang at three presidential inaugurations. She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Key Milestones

  1. 1967: Respect – hit
  2. 1968: Think – hit
  3. 1972: Amazing Grace – gospel album
  4. 1987: Rock Hall – first woman

Aretha Louise Franklin ( ə-REE-thə; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Regarded as the "Queen of Soul", she was twice named by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest singer of all time.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Profile

Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul

American singer, 1942–2018

Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis on 25 March 1942.

She grew up in Detroit.

Respect topped the charts in 1967.

She joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Career highlights

  1. 1967Respect: hit
  2. 1968Think: hit
  3. 1972Amazing Grace: gospel album
  4. 1987Rock Hall: first woman
  5. 2009Inauguration: Obama

Did you know?Her gospel album Amazing Grace is one of the best-selling gospel records ever.

Would be
84
Age at death
76
Years since death
8

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Questions people ask

Frequently asked questions

When is Aretha Franklin's birthday?
Aretha Franklin's birthday is March 25. She was born on March 25, 1942 in Memphis, United States.
How old was Aretha Franklin when she died?
Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018, aged 76.
Who shares a birthday with Aretha Franklin?
Famous people who share Aretha Franklin's March 25 birthday include Elton John, Béla Bartók, Naftali Bennett, Alexander Herzen and Catherine of Siena.

Born on the same day6

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Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.

Last reviewed: October 2026