Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul died on August 16, 2018, at an age of 76 years. Aretha Franklin was reported to be gravely ill on August 13, 2018. She was suffering from Pancreatic Cancer.
The Queen of Souls who has reigned the music industry for over 50 years had been suffering from some health issue, though at the time she hadn’t disclosed what it was. Aretha Franklin died among her friends and families.
After her marriage ended with her second husband Glynn Turman, she met her partner Willie Wilkerson in the late 1980s. Aretha Franklin partner Willie Wilkerson had always been by her side ever since.
Willie has been Aretha’s life support when she was dealing with her health issues. However very little is known about Aretha Franklin partner Willie, we have a few information. Scroll down to find more about Willie Wilkerson wiki, bio, age, and, net worth.
Who is Aretha Franklin partner Willie Wilkerson?
Aretha Franklin became close to her partner Willie Wilkerson in late 1980s after she separated with her second husband Glynn Turman after six years of marriage. Aretha Franklin partner Willie Wilkerson is a retired firefighter. Willie Wilkerson has been by the side of his partner Aretha, through thick and thin for more than 30 years.
Photo Credit: The Inquisitr
Aretha Franklin and her partner Willie Wilkerson had been friends before they took their relationship to the next level. It was much later in their relationship that they even thought about getting married. Talking with People Magazine on January 2, 2012, Franklin revealed Willie Wilkerson’s proposal for the marriage. She had accepted it and was looking for a date in June/July to get married in Miami Beach.
Photo Credit: The Inquisitr
However, after a few weeks, Willie Wilkerson and Aretha Franklin called off their engagement stating their relationship is moving “a little too fast”. After their engagement was called off, Aretha made a statement,
“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. 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.”
The two were also engaged once before in 1987. Though they didn’t get married.
Willie Wilkerson met Aretha back in his firefighting days in an autograph session. Then injured Willie asked the Soul Queen to sign his cast. Their relationship unfolded henceforth.
Willie Wilkerson Net Worth
Willie Wilkerson was a firefighter, thus we can assume his net worth is very small. Willie Wilkerson is also a businessman, though it is unclear what his business is or how much it contributes to his net worth. However, Willie Wilkerson has been Aretha Franklin partner for nearly three decades. And Aretha Franklin has a net worth of $60 million. Willie Wilkerson stands a chance to gain one-fifth of Aretha’s property which could increase Willie Wilkerson net worth by a considerable amount of $12 million.
However, Aretha Franklin’s net worth has not been read and it’s a pure speculation that Willie Wilkerson’s net worth will increase by $12 million. Though Willie Wilkerson has not made his net worth public.
Willie Wilkerson Wiki-Bio
Willie Wilkerson is a retired firefighter from Detroit. For three decades, he has been with Aretha Franklin. Before meeting Willie, Aretha Franklin was married twice. Since 1961 to 1969, Aretha Franklin husband was Ted White. And since 1978 to 1984, Aretha Franklin husband was Glynn Turman.
Photo Credit: The Inquisitr
Aretha Franklin never took Willie Wilkerson as a husband but he was Aretha Franklin partner forever.
