Aretha Franklin Calls Surgery ‘Highly Successful’
Aretha Franklin — who has been in and out of the hospital since the summer — had surgery Thursday that was “highly successful,” according to a statement released Thursday. The singer, 68, has not revealed what she is being treated for.
“God is still in control,” Franklin said. “I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country.” Fans held a vigil for the singer Wednesday in Detroit.
In August, Franklin canceled two New York shows after breaking two ribs in a fall. She had a brief hospital stay in late October for undisclosed reasons, and said at the time that she was eager to get back on the road. However, just days later she canceled all of her concert dates through May.
Read Mary J. Blige’s tribute to Aretha
Her most recent performance was in late July, when she performed with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Philadelphia. Franklin joined Rice — a classically trained pianist — for two songs at a charity concert.
Franklin, whom Rolling Stone named the greatest singer of all time in 2008, received a Grammy nomination Wednesday for her duet with Ron Isley, “You’ve Got A Friend,” in the Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals category. Franklin was honored with the Grammys’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994.
Aretha Franklin calls her surgery a success [Associated Press]