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Photo gallery: Happy 75th birthday to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin

 
Aretha Franklin poses on the red carpet before the 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on December 6, 2015, in Washington. [Molly Riley | AFP | Getty Images]
Aretha Franklin poses on the red carpet before the 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on December 6, 2015, in Washington. [Molly Riley | AFP | Getty Images]
Published March 25, 2017

The Queen of Soul was born 75 years ago today. The fourth of five children, Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tenn.

Eighteen years later, she signed with Columbia Record and released her first album, Aretha in 1961. In 1967, Respect — reached No. 1 on both the R&B and pop charts and won Franklin her first two Grammys. Other Top 10 hits followed: Baby I Love You, Think, Chain of Fools, I Say a Little Prayer, Since You've Been Gone and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

She became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and with 18 Grammys, she is one of the most honored artists in Grammy history,

Here is a look back at her amazing career. And scroll down to the end for a video of her performance of A Natural Woman at the Kennedy Center Awards on Dec. 6, 2015. It made President Barack Obama tear up.

Associated Press

Aretha Franklin sings a few notes in 1972.

Associated Press

Aretha Franklin poses with her Grammy Award at the 17th Annual Grammy Award presentation in New York on March 3, 1975. The award is for her performance in "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing." Franklin has won every Grammy Award for "Best Rhythm and Blues Performance, Female" since this category was created in 1968.

Associated Press

Sylvester Levay and Aretha Franklin are shown at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 1976.

Reed Saxon | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin holds both shoes and award after being honored during the 10th annual American Music Award presentation in Los Angeles on Jan. 17, 1983. Franklin received her third American Music award by winning the honor for favorite soul album with "Jump To It."

Rob Kozloff | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin joins George Michael on stage during his Faith World Tour in the Detroit area at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Aug. 30, 1988. The duo sang their Grammy-winning hit "I Knew You Were Waiting."

Mario Suriani | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin performs at New York's Radio City Music Hall on July 6, 1989.

Amy Sancetta | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin performs at pre-inaugural festivities for President Bill Clinton in January 1993.

Mark Duncan | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin finishes her set at the Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on Sep. 2, 1995.

Khue Bui | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin dances on stage during the first March on Cancer on Sept. 26, 1998, in Washington. The daylong event, known as ``The March,'' drew thousands of cancer survivors, patients, and loved ones descending on the National Mall to remember cancer victims and to ask for more research funds.

Ron Edmonds | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin wears a gray felt custom-designed hat as she performs at the inauguration ceremony for President Barack Obama on Jan. 20, 2009, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Franklin says it would be hard to part with the hat since the day was "a crowning moment in history," but will consider donating the hat to the Smithsonian Institution for an exhibit.

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Charles Rex Arbogast | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey acknowledge fans during a star-studded double-taping of "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular" on May 17, 2011, in Chicago.

Photo by Charles Sykes | Invision | AP

Aretha Franklin and Denzel Washington with Clifton Oliver, rear, attend her 72nd birthday celebration on March 22, 2014, in New York.

Matt Slocum | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin performs as Pope Francis is seated nearby during the Festival of Families on Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Paul Sancya | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin rehearses the national anthem during warmups of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 24, 2016, in Detroit.

Carolyn Kaster | Associated Press

Aretha Franklin performs at the International Jazz Day Concert on the South Lawn of the White House on April 29, 2016.