Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson attend the BET Honors 2012 Pre-Honors dinner at the Corcoran Gallery of Art on Jan. 13, 2012 in Washington, DC.
*The New York Daily News is reporting that Aretha Franklin’s wedding is off.
Today, the Queen of Soul announced that she and William (Willie) Wilkerson, 64, are not going through with the summer wedding they had planned.
Franklin’s publicist released a joint statement, signed “Aretha and Will” that said: “Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly. There will be no wedding at this time.”
The couple added: “We will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it. We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends.”
This marks at least the second time that Franklin, 69, was briefly engaged to Wilkerson, a retired firefighter. The singing legend was reportedly engaged to Wilkerson for a bit in 1987, about the same time the couple appeared on the cover of Jet magazine.
Well, that did not take long did it???? I think it is a good move if you are not too sure about marriage better to call it off than be sorry later.
Probably had to think about your finances and how that prenup should be set up. Let’s face it, you not getting any longer Re. Heck just stay like you are.
Moving too fast? They haven’t thought about those important things since they met in 1987?
I totally agree, Gurlfrand. I hope they can work it all out. He’s a very distinguished-looking gentleman. It’s been 25 years in the making. They SHOULD get married.
Maybe he didn’t want to sign a prenup. I trust Auntie Re-Re Judgement.
If he didn’t want to sign a prenup, then he can go to hell.
Sam’s List of Aretha Franklin’s Top Ten Song Hits as reasons why she suddenly broke-off her engagement:
#10-Bridge Over Troubled Water
#9-Who’s Zoomin’ Who?
#8-Oh Me Oh My
#7-Chain Of Fools
#6-I Say A Little Prayer
#5-Do Right Woman-Do Right Man
#4-Think
#3-Respect
#2-Save Me
And, the #1 reason for the change of heart:
Ain’t No Way