By Patricia Uyeh

American singer, Gladys Knight aka ‘Empress of Soul’, in a new interview, revealed that she “had the same disease” as her late friend Aretha Franklin( The queen of soul had passed away at the age of 76 on August 16 after a battle with pancreatic cancer).

The 74-year-old singer, who spoke about her diagnosis, recalled her final conversation with Aretha Franklin. During the interview, Gladys Knight said:

“The last time I talked to her, we were at the same hotel and we didn’t know it. But I know her crew and family, she knows my crew and family. Aretha said, ‘Get down here,’ so I went down. … We just got to talking, and at that time we shared the fact that we had the same disease.”

Later on, Gladys Knight clarified her earlier statement through her rep, Jay Schwartz, saying:
“I’d like to clarify that Aretha and I discussed both of us having cancer, mine was stage 1 breast cancer and hers was pancreatic.
“Due to early detection, I am cancer-free and grateful for that. It is unfortunate that on a day we should be celebrating Aretha’s life and massive contribution to our world, a reporter who did not relay accurate information has missed the message. I send my love to the entire Franklin family and my gratitude to them for sharing such an extraordinary person with us.”