Los Ángeles, USA,Aug 16 -Prensa Latina) Aretha Franklin, the undisputed ''Queen of Soul'' who sang with matchless style on such classics as ''Think,'' ''''I Say a Little Prayer'' and her signature song, ''Respect,'' and stood as a cultural icon around the globe, has died at age 76 from pancreatic cancer.

She died Thursday morning at her home in Detroit, 'one of the darkest moments of our lives,' her family said, in a statement released .nn.
'We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world,' the family said, adding that funeral arrangements would be announced in coming days.
Franklin, who had battled undisclosed health issues in recent years, had announced her retirement from touring last year.
A professional singer and accomplished pianist by her late teens, a superstar by her mid-20s, Franklin had long ago settled any arguments over who was the greatest popular vocalist of her time.
Her gifts, natural and acquired, were a multi-octave mezzo-soprano, gospel passion and training worthy of a preacher's daughter, taste sophisticated and eccentric, and the courage to channel private pain into liberating song.