After battling back from health problems, the Queen of Soul celebrated her 69th birthday in a big way in New York City on Friday among friends and supporters.
Among those in attendance at the party, held at the Central Park Hotel, were Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, Clive Davis, actress and singer Bette Midler as well as OWN’s Gayle King, according to the Associated Press. Her publicist, Tracey Jordan, said Franklin planned to go to the theater earlier in the evening to catch “Driving Miss Daisy” on Broadway.
The music legend underwent surgery late last year in her native Detroit for an undisclosed ailment. Since then, she’s lost more than 80 pounds. Franklin has said the weight loss was because of a change in diet and exercise.
“It’s a fabulous moment,” said Ms. Franklin, touting a slimmer frame.
Aretha is due to return to the stage in May, and also has a new album on the way.
I want to thank God, for letting a Angle, come down from Heaven 69yrs ago, to be among us, and to share this moment with us, to be able to give her a gift, that she has giving us, To Ms. Aretha Franklin, I give you a birthday gift, it is a smile, respect, a bridge over trouble waters, and he watches over me, I wish this day was as bless as the day, that the doctors said it’s a girl. This gift you can open, over and over again, this Gift was made by God, but sent by Melva. 🙂 🙂 🙂 to U