The 76-year-old music icon announced her retirement in February 2017.
Aretha Franklin is receiving thoughts and prayers from friends and peers alike.
A family friend confirms to ET that the 76-year-old music icon is "gravely ill" in Detroit, Michigan.
Roland Martin, a journalist who frequently covers Franklin, took to Twitter to share more about her condition.
"Many of you are asking me to confirm the health status of @ArethaFranklin. Folks, I’ve known for several months. The Queen is surrounded by loved ones. That’s all I will say for now," he wrote alongside a pic of the pair from 2016. "Please keep her, the family and her longtime support staff in your prayers."
Evrod Cassimy, a Detroit based local news anchor who was the first to learn of the singer's retirement, also tweeted Franklin's health.
"BREAKING NEWS: I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill," he wrote. "I spoke with her family members this morning. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release."
Meanwhile, another Detroit based reporter revealed that Franklin's pastor "knew she must have been sick."
"Talked to the pastor at Aretha Franklin’s church and he says he knew she must have been sick because she was going to hold her annual concert at the church this month, but he hadn’t heard from her in weeks," Syma Chowdhry tweeted.
Upon hearing of the "Respect" singer's ailing health, celebs took to Twitter to share their well wishes.
Showbiz 411 was the first to report that Franklin was ill.
In February 2017, Franklin announced her retirement after cancelling three shows due to "doctors' orders" back in 2016. In 2015, she also cancelled one show due to exhaustion.
Here's more on the singer and her legacy:
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