Obamas release heartfelt joint statement about the passing of Aretha Franklin

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This week everyone from Diana Ross to Donald Trump released a statement or tribute on the passing of music legend, Aretha Franklin. Now, the Obamas have added their voice to the mix and opened up about what The Queen of Soul meant to them specifically and to the country collectively.

“Aretha helped define the American experience,” former president Barack Obama tweeted to his followers. “In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace.”

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Since the news of her deteriorating health broke last week, fans have been holding vigils and holding out hope that she would pull through. On Wednesday, the New Bethel Baptist Church in her hometown of Detroit, even held a special service for her that began before dawn. On Thursday, her family released a statement confirming Franklin had died at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/bfASqKlLc5

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 16, 2018

“Watching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still,” shared a grieving Michelle Obama.” @BarackObama and I are holding Aretha’s family in our hearts right now. She will forever be our Queen of Soul.”

Franklin once famously brought then President Obama to tears during one of her performances and was even personally requested to sing at his historic 2008 inauguration.

Watching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still. @BarackObama and I are holding Aretha’s family in our hearts right now. She will forever be our Queen of Soul. pic.twitter.com/NhHsbKijpl

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 16, 2018

READ MORE: Celebs post tributes to Aretha Franklin on social media

In addition to their individual posts, the former President and First Lady also shared an official joint statement paying homage to their dear friend.

“America has no royalty,” they wrote. “But, we do have a chance to earn something more enduring. Born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Aretha Franklin grew up performing gospel songs in her father’s congregation. For more than six decades since, every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine.”

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“Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience,” they continued. “In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade – our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just feel about everything else and dance.”

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“Aretha may have passed on to a better place, but the gift of her music remains to inspire us all,” they concluded. “May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. Michelle and I send our prayers and warmest sympathies to her family and all those moved by her song.”

Statement from President and Mrs. Obama on the Passing of Aretha Franklin pic.twitter.com/exgjm86d19

— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 16, 2018