Voted the greatest singer of the rock era in a Rolling Stone magazine poll in 2008.

She can`t read music.

Godmother of Whitney Houston.

11/16/05: Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for her outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture.

Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, was an avid fan of her work.

She has won 16 Grammy Awards.

1999: She was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, DC.

Mentioned in the song "Life Is a Rock But the Radio Rolled Me" by Reunion.

11/9/05: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. Other recipients were Frank Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Gen. Richard Myers, Paul Rusesabagina, Carol Burnett, Andy Griffith, Vint Cerf and his Internet co-developer Robert Kahn, Jack Nicklaus, Alan Greenspan and former congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery.

She was voted the 9th Greatest Rock `n` Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.

She has four sons: Clarence, Jr., was born when she was 14; Edward ("Eddie") when she was 16; Ted White, Jr. ("Teddy"), son and namesake of her first husband and former manager, Ted White; and, Kecalf, her son with Ken Cunningham. Aretha`s grandmother took in the two eldest children so that Aretha could pursue her career.

Ranked #1 on VH1`s Greatest Women of Rock N Roll

Won 15 Grammy Awards; Grammy Legend Award; Kennedy Center Honor.

1987: Her duet with George Michael, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", was a UK #1 single.

Is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Her voice was designated a "Natural Resource" by the State of Michigan.

1984: Her father, the Rev. Cecil Franklin, died after having been shot by a burglar.

1992: Performed at President Bill Clinton`s presidential inauguration.

She gave birth to her first child at age 14, the second at age 16.

Suffers from a fear of flying that affects her schedule--she declined attending her Rock `n` Roll Hall of Fame induction because of it.

Younger sister of vocalist Erma Franklin, who originally recorded the song "Piece of My Heart," later a hit for Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin. Older sister of singer/songwriter Carolyn Franklin, who wrote Aretha`s hit "Ain`t No Way." Daughter of the Rev. Cecil Franklin.

First woman to be admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

Her favorite film as a child was The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

Married twice.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA