Aretha Franklin’s Granddaughter Shares Touching Home Video of One of the Late Singer’s Final Performances

During her brave battle with pancreatic cancer, singer Aretha Franklin found time to continue doing what she loved most: performing. Following the music icon’s passing at age 76 on Thursday, Aug. 16, one of Aretha’s grandchildren, Victorie Franklin, took to Twitter to share a touching home video of one of the Queen of Soul’s final performances. 

In the black and white clip from March 17, 2018, Aretha can be seen singing while playing the piano. “I have many memories of me coming into her home and she would be playing the piano and singing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling, but God is telling me that she is at peace. Today we lost an icon, a legend, but today I lost my grandma. I love you and [I’m going to] make you proud,” Victorie, 18, wrote alongside the clip. 

I have many memories of me coming into her home and she would be playing the piano and singing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling, but God is telling me that she is at peace. Today we lost an icon, a legend, but today I lost my grandma. I love u and imma make u proud 💕 pic.twitter.com/cSFK5pibEV

— ♈️ (@Victorie_____) August 16, 2018

Later, Victorie returned to Twitter to express her gratitude to her followers for their support during this difficult time for her family. “Thank you to everyone who’s been sending lots of love to me. It means the world to me, and I love all of you,” she wrote. 

The Franklin family confirmed Aretha’s passing through a statement released by the singer’s publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn. “It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Aretha Louise Franklin, the Queen of Soul,” the emotional message began. 

“Franklin, 76 years old, passed away on Thursday morning, Aug. 16 at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit, MI, surrounded by family and loved ones. Franklin’s official cause of death was due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin’s Oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, MI,” the statement explained. 

“In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family,” Aretha’s family wrote. “The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.”

“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. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time,” the message concluded.