Aretha Franklin
Awards & Honours
55
Awards Won
8
Honours
6
Rankings
4
Covers
4
Records
Aretha Franklin's list of accolades speaks to her unparalleled career and enduring influence. She gathered a total of 18 competitive Grammy Awards, a testament to her consistent artistic excellence over decades. Her historic induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 marked her as the first woman to receive this honor, solidifying her pioneer status. Franklin also earned prestigious national recognitions like the Kennedy Center Honor, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting her cultural significance beyond music. Her ability to consistently break records, such as her eight consecutive Grammy wins for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, truly sets her apart as a singular force in music history.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Congressional Gold Medal
Awarded posthumously for her contributions to American culture and civil rights.
MusiCares Person of the Year
Recognized for her musical accomplishments and philanthropic efforts.
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The highest civilian award in the United States.
National Medal of Arts
Awarded for her outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.
Kennedy Center Honor
Recognized for her lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
Grammy Legend Award
A special Grammy Award presented to individuals for ongoing contributions and influence in the recording field.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
First woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to music.
Rankings & Lists
Greatest Singers of All Time
Greatest Singers of All Time
100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll
100 Greatest Artists of All Time
500 Greatest Songs of All Time
500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Magazine Covers
People
September 3, 2018
Aretha Franklin: 1942-2018
Vanity Fair
December 1998
Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul
TIME
June 28, 1968
Lady Soul: Aretha Franklin
Rolling Stone
March 16, 1968
Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul
Records & Feats
Most Charted Female Artist on Billboard Hot 100
Aretha Franklin holds the record for the most entries by a female artist on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with 73 entries.
Most Consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
She won eight consecutive Grammy Awards in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category from 1968 to 1975.
First Woman Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1987, Aretha Franklin made history as the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Best-Selling Gospel Album of All Time
Her 1972 album, Amazing Grace, became the best-selling gospel album in history.