The last word spoken by Aretha Franklin was about a song.
It was to Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, the last living member of the original Four Tops.
Duke Fakir and Aretha were close friends.
Duke Fakir says he called Franklin a few days before her death. He was told by the family that Aretha was not responding to anybody or anything. The phone was held up to her ear as Duke was talking to her, telling her how much he missed her and how much he loved her.
The family says her eyes suddenly opened, and Aretha said one word.
“Bernadette.”
That was her favorite song by the Tops.
And Duke Fakir says he was told by the family that was the last word spoken by Aretha Franklin .