Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin dies aged 76 at her Detroit home after a long battle with pancreatic cancer

Aretha Franklin, the long-reigning Queen of Soul, died on Thursday morning at age 76 from advance pancreatic cancer. She is pictured at her last public performance in New York in November last year

Aretha Franklin, the long-reigning Queen of Soul, died on Thursday morning at age 76 from advanced pancreatic cancer.

She passed away at 9.50am surrounded by family and friends at her home in Detroit where she had been under hospice care.

Franklin's family said her oncologist confirmed her cause of death was due to the pancreatic cancer she had been battling.

'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,' a statement from her family read.

'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.'