From her humble beginnings in music as an adorable teenage prodigy to all of her musical accomplishments throughout an impressive, lasting career, Aretha Franklin has always commanded positive attention and admiration.
If you thought it was hard to ignore the allure of her inimitable voice and its enviable range, it may prove impossible to take your eyes off these stunning pictures of the Queen of Soul doing her thing.
READ MORE: Powerhouse Performances From Aretha Franklin That Proves She Will Always Be The Queen Of Soul
Amid reports of her failing health, NewsOne wanted to provide the below snapshot (actually, 100 of them) into Aretha’s professional and personal lives, which were documented via these perfect photographs. Together, they paint a vivid, collective picture of someone whose clear passion was singing, entertaining and bringing joy into the lives of those she sang for over the course of nearly six decades in the public eye.
They include, but definitely aren’t limited to, vintage images of: her historic performance at the inauguration of 44th President Barack Obama in 2009; receiving an honorary doctorate from Harvard University; and a number of her hundreds of performances all around the world.
Here they are, in no particular order.
Aretha Franklin Through The Years: 100 Vintage Pictures Of The Queen of Soul was originally published on newsone.com
1. Pope Francis Visits The Festival Of Families On Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Aretha Franklin performs at the Festival of Families as Pope Francis looks on September 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pope Francis wraps up his trip to the United States with two days in Philadelphia, attending the Festival of Families and meeting with prisoners at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
2. Late Night with Seth Meyers
Musical guest Aretha Franklin performs on December 9, 2015 (Photo by: Jon Pack/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
3. Aretha Franklin Portrait Session
Singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
4. Aretha Franklin
Soul music singer Aretha Franklin, 1977. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)
5. Aretha Franklin Portrait Session
Singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
6. Aretha Franklin & Glynn
Soul music singer Aretha Franklin and Glynn Russell during their wedding, April 11, 1978. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)
7. Inaugural gala of the National Portrait Gallery honors five the American Portrait Prize
Aretha Franklin sings for the crowd at the National Portrait Gallery gala November 15, 2015 in Washington, D.C. The honorees of the first American Portrait Prize at the gala are Aretha Franklin, Hank Aaron, Maya Lin, Carolina Herrera and Corporal Kyle Carpenter. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
8. Aretha Franklin at American Music Awards
Singer Aretha Franklin holds up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand, and her shoes in the other, as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards presentations. Miss Franklin’s award was for her soul album entitled Jump to It.
