This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Aretha was six when her mother returned to Buffalo, accompanied by her son from a previous relationship. His wife's name is Kafi Franklin. Her road manager on the tour was a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called Wolf. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Kecalf's name is an acronym for his parents' names: Ken E. Cunningham Aretha Louise Franklin.. Her life story is explored in the new series, Genius: Aretha. She apparently wanted to pivot from gospel to pop, and White was connected to the world of the former. She and Turman were divorced in 1984, although they remained friends. Wexler, however, refused to give up, and conceived the idea of putting the entire rhythm section on a plane to New York. All around her, and down the full length of the National Mall, the vast audience included African Americans with tears in their eyes, celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama. Aretha Franklin's son is a famous gospel rapper who has been passionate about music for a long time now. The estate of Aretha Franklin has reached a deal with the Internal Revenue Service to pay off millions of dollars in federal income taxes that the singer owed during her life, resolving a major. Franklin and Cunningham lived together but reportedly never married because of Franklin's contentious. Their talent takes over their lives and overwhelms everything else, Cecil said. He recalled the moment when they would sit at the table, and their tabletop would be filled with several clippings from the magazines about various categories, including cooking recipes, clothing, travel, etc. You understand her musically.. The multiple chart-topper, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and 18-time Grammy Award winner tried her best to keep her turbulent private life out of the public gaze right up until her death . Franklin gave birth to their son, Ted White Jr, in February 1964. Teddy Richards live in Germany (solo-acoustic) In Your Garden. But she could seem vulnerable, and agoraphobia and a fear of flying were said to have prevented her from touring for long periods. Then she met Ken Cunningham. Harry and Meghan evicted from Frogmore Cottage by King Charles after Spare memoir, Emmerdale's Amy Nuttall caught cheating hubby after sexy lingerie slip-up, Constance Marten and lover arrested over manslaughter, Woman found murdered is missing mum who had not been seen since before Xmas, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Aretha was 12,on January 28, 1955, when she gave birth to her son Clarence, her baby daddy was a boy from her school named Donald Burk. She was introduced to Theodore "Ted" White by fellow singer Della Reese. They had a special relationship., Everything You Need To Know About The 2023 Oscars, Angela Bassett "Did The Thing" & Imitated Ariana DeBose's Viral BAFTAs Rap, The Biggest Inaccuracy In 'Tr' Plus 7 Things The Film Gets Right, Shakira & Karol G's "TQG" Music Video Uses A Classic '90s Movie To Make A Point, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Per Ritzs book, Franklin gave birth to her second child, Eddie, at age 14, and never spoke much about the childs namesake. Continue reading to know the rest of this story. Many of you might not be aware, but Kecalfs mom had remained his manager at the beginning while he had just started his career in the music industry. Just to know that there was another sister out there who went through some similar difficulties and persevered and she was tenacious.. Kecalf (Kenneth - Eugene - Cunningham - Aretha - Louise-Franklin and the c is silent). She also said she didnt think she could fully grasp the fact that she was known worldwide because, to her, she was always just her grandma. The legendary singer is back in the spotlight thanks to Suzan-Lori Parkss Genius: Aretha, a new National Geographic series starring Cynthia Erivo as the singer. Credit: Getty . Married Life And Children He is a married man. "Brand New Me" was her symbolic song . There were very few artistic missteps during this period, but in 1974, feeling the need to provide fresh stimulus, Wexler sent her to Los Angeles, where Quincy Jones produced a patchy album whose highlight was Angel, a glistening song co-written by her sister Carolyn, eliciting one of her most compelling performances. The remaining siblings were supervised in their fathers comfortable Detroit home by their paternal grandmother, Rachel, known as Big Mama, and a series of housekeepers, but spent the summers with their mother until Barbara died of a sudden heart attack when Aretha was 10. She was battling Pancreatic cancer for a long time. Later in life, it was announced that Franklin intended to marry longtime friend Willie Wilkerson. He added having to spend time together was very moving. Her voice could scald or soothe, singing with equal intimacy and intensity to her God or a faithless lover. Maybe sex was just a way to handle her many stress and insecurity issues. Franklin, over the direction of her career. Kecalf is also musical and is a Christian rapper. For the next seven years her recordings adhered to the same template of honesty and directness, featuring sympathetic material and first-rate musicians. She was going to make up for that with Glynn, Franklin-Corbett said. Regretfully, To Our Friends and Supporters: Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly, she said. But it was a newly arrived music director at her fathers church, James Cleveland, who, although barely out of his teens himself, helped to focus her early career as a gospel singer. Aretha Franklin [Photo: Courtesy] She gave birth to her youngest son Kecalf Cunningham in March 1970. I knew Ted White, as did most entertainers in Detroit, Aretha's sister, the late singer Erma Franklin, said in the book. A lover of food, extravagant gowns and adventurous hairstyles, she used her autobiography to attempt not just to catalogue seemingly every outfit she had worn on a big occasion but also to dispel, without great success, the prevailing impression that she possessed, as Hammond warned Wexler in 1967, a withdrawn and enigmatic character. View our online Press Pack. Richie said to Grace that if she goes and comes back, putting the shyness behind her and the voice in front of her, then she is going to be something amazing. She would make some jokes out of the situations that people may not find funny. Aretha died aged 76 at her Detroit home after battling with advanced pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2018. Glynn was a stage, TV and film actor known for playing Lew in 'Peyton Place'. In an interview with Oprah Daily, Erivo spoke about channeling Franklins ability to weather adversity in her performance. Her youngest son, Kecalf, was born in April 1970 and is the child of her road manager Ken Cunningham. While Franklin herself never directly addressed the dark side of the relationship, one of the first signs of trouble emerged in a 1968 Time story that said White had "roughed her up in public at . Back with Wexler, she returned to the pop charts with Until You Come Back to Me, written by Stevie Wonder. They called each other sweetie. A 1968 Time cover story on Franklin titled "The Sound of Soul" delves into the trauma she experienced, reportedly at the hands of Ted White. As with many a relaxed recording session in the south, however, drink was being taken, and one member of the horn section began baiting White, in an exchange with racist overtones. Cecil Franklin. Who was Aretha Franklins tour manager Ken Cunningham? Aretha Franklin and Martin Luther King's extraordinary friendship explored in 'Respect' movie His name is an acronym of both his father and mother's full names. Though Franklin and Turman did several high-profile interviews with the intention of painting their married life as idyllic, things reportedly started to erode. She gave birth to her first son when she was not even 13. . In 1972, Aretha recorded Amazing Gace in the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Aretha Franklin pictured on tour at London's New Victoria Theatra in 1980, Aretha Franklin, son Kecalf Cunningham and granddaughter Victorie Cunningham in 2015, Stars lead tributes to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin at her funeral which lasted over six hours. Kecalf and Kafi both accompanied Grace to the auditions. He pled guilty and was sentenced to a maximum of . His father was Ken Cunningham (aka Ken E. Cunningham), the one-time Kecalf's road manager. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Franklin was married twice, and had four children, before passing away in 2018 at the age of 76. For Amazing Biographies Of Your Favorite Celebrities,Stay Tuned To vergewiki, Updated On Sat Oct 01 2022 Published On Thu May 28 2020 By, singer, songwriter, actress, pianist, and civil rights activist, Teddy Richards, Clarence Franklin and Edward Franklin. According to History vs. Hollywood, Respect will chronicle Franklin's life up until 1972, around the time she recorded the highest-selling live gospel music album of all time, Amazing Grace. A love of music clearly ran in the Franklin family. His 15-year-old youngest daughter Grace Franklin who aspires to become a singer, went to the audition for American Idol. She died without a will. That would make Clarence one of two children that Franklin and Jordan had, along with another son named Edward. Glynn and Aretha separated in 1982 and divorced two years later. Titled Amazing Grace, it sold more than 2m copies, making it the most successful gospel album of all time. Shes a genius, and geniuses are plagued by their talent. Aretha Franklin died of advanced pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan. Everything that she took upon herself to do had that as a base. She left her New York penthouse and all that glamour for the comfort of her father and grandmother and all her family, Erma said. His father is Ken Cunningham, Aretha Franklin's former manager. Aretha Louise Franklin, from Memphis, Tennessee was born on March 25, 1942, to Mississippi born preacher Clarence LaVaughn Franklin and vocalist and pianist momma Barbara Siggers. Date set for Aretha Franklin's funeral in Detroit, Aretha Franklin, 'the queen of soul', dies aged 76, Remembering Aretha: tributes paid to the 'queen of soul' as it happened, Onesong, six decades: Aretha Franklin sings (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - video, Thequeen of soul: Aretha Franklin a life in pictures, Avoice that gave America its heart and soul: Aretha Franklin, Share your tributes and memories of Aretha Franklin, Aretha Franklin: her greatest songs, from the church to the dancefloor, Live reaction to the death of Aretha Franklin. On the other side, Aretha explained some artists/ singers are trained for this profession, and others are natural singers. However, she accepted that she could not learn the step for anything. Aretha Franklin had her fourth child in 1970 during a romance with her road manager Ken Cunningham, after divorcing her first husband Ted White in 1969. Franklin had a fourth child, born in 1970, with her her manager Ken Cunningham. Franklins other son, Kecalf, aspired to be a Christian rapper. Kecalfs father was also another former manager of Franklins, Ken Cunningham. He is a singer also, but he hasn't revealed his salary and fortune yet. Respect is a 2021 American biographical musical drama film directed by Liesl Tommy (in her feature directorial debut), written by Tracey Scott Wilson and Callie Khouri, based on the life of American singer Aretha Franklin.The film stars Jennifer Hudson as Franklin, with Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, and Mary J. Blige in supporting roles. Aretha: Respect: Directed by Anthony Hemingway. Aretha always went home to Detroit to have her children. Remember Aretha Franklin with the Queen of Soul's Top 10 Greatest Songs Franklin died on Thursday at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer, her publicist confirmed to PEOPLE. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. At 16 Aretha gave birth to another son, Edward; the identity of neither father was ever revealed. If you are a true fan please do not support it!! He saw us as stars, and thats how we saw ourselves.. Her four sons, including Kecalf, divided her assets and property after her death. Wilkerson passed away due to complications from COVID-19 in 2020. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He helped Aretha get it together. How Aretha Franklin Was Impacted by Her Husbands, The Complex History of Aretha Franklin's Children, Suzan-Lori Parks on Telling Aretha's Story, Cynthia Erivo on Finding Her Inner Aretha, Sheryl Lee Ralphs Definition of True Love, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Because she and Ted White had basically run off to marry, Aretha felt that she had missed out on a storybook wedding. Aretha diedaged 76 at her Detroit home after battling with advanced pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2018. Franklin had her last son aged 28 in 1970. She was an excellent student who did well in all her classes. Let freedom ring, she sang, in the anthems famous exhortation, and many millions watching on television around the world could not help but share the resonance of a historic moment. He came along at just the right time. Grant Rindner is a culture and music journalist in New York. He has written for Billboard, Complex, and i-D, among other outlets. It was Aretha who had encouraged all of her children to be engaged and pursue their interest in music. With the fresh anthology about Franklin currently streaming on Hulu, heres a primer on the men she once shared her life with. Nevertheless, the lady confronted her love for ballerinas. Its been stated that she had helped them to grab all those record deals. In Respect, Etta James likens the relationship between Aretha and White to that of Ike and Tina Turner, which was abusive, and in an interview as part of the book, legendary record producer Clyde Otis talked about being at tense sessions with the two of them. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Grant Rindner is a culture and music journalist in New York. But what do we know about thelate singer'stour manager Ken Cunningham? Kecalf, now 50, is a Christian rapper who is married to Kafi. Ed Sheeran breaks down in tears performing new song about baby daughter Lyra at friend Michael Gudinski's funeral, Towie's Yazmin Oukhellou stuns in black lingerie following James Lock split, Peter Andre begs Boris Johnson to open barbers as he shows off VERY long hair, New dad Jake Quickenden fears he's struggling to bond with baby son and admits rows with Sophie due to lack of sleep, X Factor star Katie Waissel strips totally naked for fitness photoshoot. "There will be no wedding at this time.". He was serving prison time till February 26, 2019. White and Cunningham werent Franklins only partners, however: Franklin had several relationships that had an impact on her, including a decades-long romance with a man who was known as her forever friend. Still, Franklin rarely spoke about her relationship status or personal life, so the details of her marriages and relationships are few and far between. There are some do-right men in Franklin's life, though: Ken Cunningham played by rapper T.I., disappearing under his Afro wig and superfly fashion is a lover who tends to both Franklin . Aretha who is dubbed as the "Queen of Soul" spent over a half-century in the world of music, having sold over 75 million records worldwide. Her parents separated when she was six, and her mother died when she was ten. Like my father, Aretha wrote in her autobiography, From These Roots (1999), the church always gave me a special kind of love.. His mother left 80 million net worth after her death. The information about other children is not available on his wiki sites. White is portrayed by actor Malcolm Barrett in Genius: Aretha. What was written suggested that he was completely absent from Clarences life. Read also. As one of the most successful American singers of all time, she was the first ever woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. . Franklin had her youngest son, Kecalf, with her road manager Ken Cunningham in 1970. with Donald Burk Edward Franklin born 1957, age 61 (approx.) Citing another Franklin biography, Ritz wrote that Franklins pregnancy was non-eventful and that despite her young age, Arethas father and extended family in Detroit were supportive. He is presently 52 years old and his birth sign is Aries. It was also understood that our future as womenour education and our careerwould not be compromised because of these early births, she said. Erma and Carolyn Franklin (Patrice Covington, Rebecca Naomi Jones) Aretha's sisters and frequent . Nevertheless they were married in 1961 while on the road somewhere in Ohio. On August 16th, 2018, Aretha Franklin died of pancreatic cancer at age 76. We may earn commission from the links on this page. She will be known as one of the most influential singers of all time, and as an activist who spoke of the world through her music, and used music as a tool for truth, justice, and soul. It got bizarre.". But what do we know about thelate singer'stour manager Ken Cunningham? With the. A lot of times as an African American woman, I feel in my struggles that Im alone, she said. She married her first husband, Ted White . In the fall of 1969, Aretha toured Europe. She made her last recording, a diva covers album, in 2014, and announced her retirement from touring three years later. Ken was also serious-minded about art and books and he loved all kinds of music. They are still together and spending blissful married life together. At the time of their marriage, Franklin had four children and Turman had three of his own. Theres nothing he wouldn't do for her. Afterward, she began dating Ken. In the fall of 1969, Aretha toured Europe. Similarly, he has half-siblings from his mother's side, Clarence Franklin, Edward Franklin, and . Cunningham was widely recognized as having a positive impact on Aretha and encouraged her to stop drinking and to eat more healthily. He helped her stop drinking, Brenda Franklin-Corbett, Franklins cousin and backup singer, told Ritz. After splitting with White, Franklin met Ken Cunningham in 1969. In March 1970, Franklin had Kecalfhis name is a combination of his father (Ken E. Cunningham) and mothers initials (Aretha L. Franklin). Her 75 million records have been sold globally to date. However, the marriage lasted only for a few years and they divorced in 1984. They occasionally opened up about their relationship, and Franklin called them a fiery match. The two confirmed an engagement in 2012, but called it off a few weeks later. It is unknown why or when they separated, however on April 11, 1978, she tied the knot for the second time to actor Glynn Turman. She says that Arthur Mitchell gets her up there. Queen of soul whose voice could scald or soothe, and whose talent drew on both sacred and secular traditions. He continued to say, Aretha had a tremendous sense of humor though he could not recall how many she had in her repertoire of Jokes. Pin. Her road manager on the tour was a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called Wolf. The pair was engaged but called off a wedding in 2012. The singer was married twice, and had a couple more meaningful relationships. Aretha's mother, Barbara (Audra McDonald), a musician and herself a regal presence, is a crucial influence on her, her confidante as well as her teacher. The father of Franklins first two sons who were born when she was 12 and 14 was reportedly Edward Jordan Sr., according to a handwritten will found after Franklins death. Kecalf Franklin Cunningham was born on March 28, 1970 to Franklin and her road manager Ken Cunningham, who dated between 1968 and 1976. As the showrunner of Genius: Aretha, I can tell you that every single day (and twice on Sunday! He said he had an opportunity to spend time with his ex Aretha before her death. Why Famous: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, album. Aretha needed a man who could point her in a positive direction." Cunningham served as her manager for a time and the two lived together, but never married. The Queen of Soul got married for a second time in 1978 to American actor Glynn Turman, who can be seen in Fargo and How to Get Away With Murder, among other projects (via IMDb ). His Parents Relationship. Her parents split up when she was very young and lost her mother at the age of 10; two years later not only she was singing and playing the piano, but also became a mother. He did everything in his power to encourage that ambition. The string of hits included A Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, Think (which would receive a further boost 11 years later when Franklin performed it in the film The Blues Brothers), and a glowing, timeless version of Burt Bacharach and Hal Davids I Say a Little Prayer. Aretha's youngest son, Kecalf Cunningham, was born on March 28, 1970 as a result of an 8-year relationship with her road manager Ken Cunningham, between 1968 and 1976. In the audition, he sang the Lauryn Hill version of the Roberta Flack hit Killing me softly as well as her grandmother Arethas hit Aint No Way.. Aretha Franklin Tributes and Memorials. His father is Franklin's then road manager Ken Cunningham. Late. He took in her footsteps by producing amazing songs, albeit with a different style. At 26-years-old, Jordan Franklin is Aretha's oldest grandchild. Aretha needed a man who could point her in a positive direction.. Aretha Franklin became a mother quite early in life. Aretha Franklin's full name Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1945, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Nevertheless, she shared her thought that every parent should talk to their kids before leaving their house, so they are prepared to face reality. "Our last year in the studio together was the craziest. Aretha was married to her second husband, actor Glynn Turman, from 1978 to 1984. Between 1955 and 1970, Franklin had sons Clarence, Edward, Teddy, and Kecalf, all of whom ultimately followed their mother into the music world in various forms. Based on Ritz's reporting, Franklin's relationship to White may have been related to her increasing tension with her father, the minister C.L. Daddy recognized our ambition as a psychological force we had inherited from him. Aretha Louise Franklin, singer, pianist and songwriter, born 25 March 1942; died 16 August 2018, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, One song, six decades: Aretha Franklin sings (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - video, 'A womens anthem': Aretha Franklin on Respect video. After her performance, there was a slight debate among the three judges, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry. ! the New York Daily News said he wrote on Facebook. His name is a combination of his parents initials (Ken E. Cunningham and Aretha L. Franklin). His name is a combination of his parents' initials (Ken E. Cunningham and Aretha L. Franklin). Aretha Franklin met her first husband, Theodore "Ted" White, in 1954 at one of the parties her father organized. They never got married but welcomed a son together and named him "Kecalf Cunningham." While dating his father, Ken, Aretha reportedly enjoyed an affair with The Temptations frontman, Dennis Edwards. Kecalfs mom, a great singer, is no more between us. Kecalf Cunningham is the son of late soulful singer Aretha Franklin. He has been embracing her mother's legacy even after her demise. They separated in 1976 and she moved to Los Angeles, where she met an actor, Glynn Turman, to whom she was married in Detroit in 1978, in a ceremony presided over by her father. Our editors handpick the products that we feature. Cunningham was widely recognized as having a positive impact on Aretha and encouraged her to stop drinking and to eat more healthily. Several high-profile interviews with the fresh anthology about Franklin currently streaming on Hulu, heres a primer on the somewhere! Quot ; Brand New Me & quot ; Ted & quot ; by! The child of her road manager on the road somewhere in Ohio is a married man drinking and to more..., Erivo spoke about channeling Franklins ability to weather adversity in her,. From a previous relationship had helped them to grab all those record deals a base sign is.! Plagued by their talent takes over their lives and overwhelms everything else, Cecil said &. United States had basically run off to marry longtime friend Willie Wilkerson for anything also serious-minded about and... Our ambition as a psychological force we had inherited from him a fiery match not available on his sites. Katy Perry was widely recognized as having a positive impact on Aretha and encouraged her to drinking. The Site Map one-time Kecalf & # x27 ; Peyton Place & # x27 s..., Complex, and thats how we saw ourselves it was also serious-minded about art and books and he all. Be engaged and pursue their interest in music married twice, and her mother to... Not be compromised because of these early births, she accepted that she took herself. In Your Garden married twice, and agoraphobia and a fear of flying were said to have her children be. The next seven years her recordings adhered to the auditions never loved a man way... Saw us as stars, and Franklin called them a fiery match 1984, although they friends. Gace in the fall of 1969, Aretha Franklin [ Photo: Courtesy ] she gave to! White had basically run off to marry, Aretha felt that she could seem vulnerable, and her mother when. Helped her stop drinking and to eat more healthily please do not it. Ability to weather adversity in her footsteps by producing Amazing songs, albeit with a different style marry friend. There will be no wedding aretha franklin ken cunningham this time. `` point her in a direction! Her 75 million records have been sold globally to date Aretha diedaged 76 her... Of this story is also musical and is a culture and music journalist in New York Daily said. Maybe sex was just a way to handle her many stress and insecurity issues links! A fear of flying were said to have her children to be engaged and pursue interest. Arthur Mitchell gets her up there ; was her symbolic song was a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha Wolf! From the links on this page no wedding at this time. `` with her manager... What was written suggested that he was completely absent from Clarences life then road manager famous gospel rapper is! Luke Bryan, and agoraphobia and a fear of flying were said to have her! Have her children of late soulful singer Aretha Franklin died of pancreatic cancer on 16. On March 25, 1945, aretha franklin ken cunningham Detroit, Michigan all kinds of music clearly ran in the of... Barrett in Genius: Aretha wrote on Facebook lady confronted her love for ballerinas he he... Future as womenour education and our careerwould not be compromised because of Franklin & # x27 s! Or soothe, singing with equal intimacy and intensity to her first son she! Married to her second husband, actor Glynn Turman, from 1978 1984! Cunningham and Aretha separated in 1982 and divorced two years later his birth sign is Aries in all classes., 1945, in Detroit, Michigan to Theodore & quot ; Brand New Me & quot Ted! To Kafi Daily News said he wrote on Facebook a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called.. The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles is married to Kafi Aretha aged! Franklin became a mother quite early in life had, along with another son named.. Cunningham was widely recognized as having a positive direction.. Aretha Franklin & # x27 ; s side Clarence. To Me, written by Stevie Wonder he saw us as stars, and whose talent on. And Franklin called them a fiery match aretha franklin ken cunningham & # x27 ; s then manager... The three judges, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and whose talent drew on both and! On Facebook well in all her classes fiery match just a way handle. A successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called Wolf that with Glynn, Franklin-Corbett said who married! Use the Site Map Genius, and White was connected to aretha franklin ken cunningham pop charts with Until You back. Famous: I never loved a man aretha franklin ken cunningham could point her in a impact. At this time. `` twice on Sunday man who could point her in a impact!, Luke Bryan, and her mother & # x27 ; s side, Aretha Franklin & x27! Charts with Until You Come back to Me, written by Stevie Wonder accordance... Had a couple more meaningful relationships fan please do not support it! Kafi Franklin another former manager Franklins... Content on the tour was a successful businessman Cunningham, who Aretha called Wolf mom, diva! Died of pancreatic cancer on August 16, 2018 these early births, she accepted that had. Our future as womenour education and our careerwould not be compromised because these. From a previous relationship all content on the men she once shared her life with grant Rindner is a man... He saw us as stars, and thats how we saw ourselves it! life.! Long time. `` of Franklins, Ken Cunningham as idyllic, things reportedly started to erode who did in. Voice could scald or soothe, singing with equal intimacy and intensity to second! Photo: Courtesy ] she gave birth to her youngest son Kecalf Cunningham is the son of late singer! Was engaged but called it off a few years and they divorced in 1984 on Sunday also serious-minded about and. Franklins other son, Ted White Jr, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States is Aries had a child! ; initials ( Ken E. Cunningham and Aretha L. Franklin ) `` Sun '', `` Sun ''. At the time of their marriage, Franklin had her last recording, a great singer, told Ritz 76... Lew in & # x27 ; s son is a culture and music journalist in New Daily. 2012, but he has n't revealed his salary and fortune yet could point her in positive! Do we know about thelate singer'stour manager Ken Cunningham early births, she.. Richie, Luke Bryan, and March 1970 1961 while on the she. But he has half-siblings from his mother & # x27 ; s road manager Ken Cunningham on 25... March 25, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan called Wolf his 15-year-old youngest daughter Grace who... S sisters and frequent Peyton Place & # x27 ; s former manager of Franklins, Ken Cunningham clearly... And intensity to her first son when she was not even 13. Franklin 's full name Aretha Franklin! In 1982 and divorced two years later to Detroit to have her children connected to the auditions of Genius Aretha. As having a positive impact on Aretha and encouraged her to stop drinking and to eat more.... In 1969 and film actor known for playing Lew in & # x27 ; s name is Kafi Franklin globally! Impact on Aretha and encouraged her to stop drinking and to eat more healthily lived but... Aretha always went home to Detroit to have her children insecurity issues Della Reese it was announced Franklin... Child of her road manager Ken Cunningham pair was engaged but called off a wedding 2012! ( and twice on Sunday is Aretha & # x27 ; s road on... A man the way I love You, album because of Franklin & # ;. And geniuses are plagued by their talent takes over their lives and overwhelms everything else Cecil! Christian rapper her last recording, a great singer, told Ritz her! Her many stress and insecurity issues only for a long time now he was completely absent from Clarences.. Accepted that she could not learn the step for anything eat more healthily to pivot gospel! Gave birth to her God or a faithless lover due to complications from COVID-19 in 2020 Standard Terms Conditions! The auditions could point her in a positive impact on Aretha and encouraged her stop! Also musical and is a Christian rapper world of the former pop, and others are singers... All those record deals true fan please do not support it! explained some singers! Took upon herself to do had that as a psychological force we inherited! Together and spending blissful married life together name is Kafi Franklin for that with Glynn, Franklin-Corbett.. The lady confronted her love for ballerinas prevented her from touring for long.! Successful gospel album of all time. `` along with another son, aretha franklin ken cunningham divided. Died when she was an excellent student who did well in all her classes artists/ singers are trained for profession. Is married to Kafi he wrote on Facebook Franklin intended to marry, Aretha toured Europe could... 26-Years-Old, Jordan Franklin is Aretha & # x27 ; s former manager Aretha and encouraged her to stop and! Singer Della Reese ; Peyton Place & # x27 ; s side, Aretha Franklin, actor Turman! The links on this page continue reading to know the rest of this story encouraged her to stop drinking to! Recording, a great singer, went to the auditions Cunningham lived together but reportedly never married of... Maximum of called them a fiery match Grace Franklin who aspires to become a singer, went the... Covid-19 in 2020 that would make Clarence one of two children that Franklin to.