The “Queen Of Soul” Aretha Franklin Had A Career That Deserves Your Respect

She Had Her First Child At A Young Age

Photo Credit: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

While Aretha Franklin’s career might have started at age 14, she was actually a mother before that. Franklin would have her first child at the age of 12, and gave birth to a boy she would name Clarence, who she named after her father.

She would have another baby boy at the age of 14, who she named Edward. Franklin’s grandmother and sister would take turns helping to raise the children as Franklin started her career. Her youngest son, Kecalf, is the child of her road manager, Ken Cunningham.