Aretha Franklin and Kathy Warden: Quick Biography
| Biography Detail | Aretha Franklin | Kathy Warden |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Aretha Louise Franklin | Kathy J. Warden |
| Born | March 25, 1942 | 1970/71 |
| Birthplace | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | Smithsburg, Maryland, United States |
| Died | August 16, 2018 | Not applicable |
| Age | 76 at the time of her death | Mid-50s as of 2026 |
| Nationality | American | American |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, pianist and musician | Business executive |
| Known For | “Queen of Soul,” “Respect,” “Natural Woman” and “I Say a Little Prayer” | Chair, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman |
| Music/Business Field | Soul, R&B, gospel and pop music | Aerospace, defense, technology and business leadership |
| Education | Primarily educated through her family and church environment; she did not follow a conventional university path | B.A., James Madison University; MBA, George Washington University |
| Career Began | As a child gospel singer | Business career before joining Northrop Grumman in 2008 |
| Major Career Breakthrough | Atlantic Records era beginning in the 1960s | Senior leadership roles at Northrop Grumman and appointment as CEO in 2019 |
| Major Organization | Atlantic Records | Northrop Grumman |
| Notable Achievement | First woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | Became Chair, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman |
| Grammy Awards | 18 competitive Grammy Awards | Not applicable |
| Children | Four sons: Clarence, Edward, Ted White Jr. and Kecalf Cunningham | Public sources do not provide a reliable detailed account of her children |
| Marital/Relationship Status | Married Ted White and later actor Glynn Turman; also had a long relationship with Willie Wilkerson | Private personal life; reliable public sources focus primarily on her professional career |
| Family Background | Daughter of preacher C. L. Franklin and Barbara Siggers Franklin | Grew up in Smithsburg, Maryland |
| Net Worth | Reported at about $10 million at the time of her death, although the broader value of her estate and intellectual property has been reported differently | Not reliably publicly disclosed |
| Current Status | Died in 2018; remembered as one of the greatest singers in music history | Active business executive and Chair, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman |
| Famous Title/Description | The Queen of Soul | One of the prominent women in American corporate leadership |
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist whose extraordinary voice made her one of the most influential performers in music history. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 25, 1942, she grew up in a deeply religious family and began singing gospel music at her father’s church in Detroit.
Franklin’s career took a major turn after she signed with Atlantic Records in the 1960s. Songs including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” “Think,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” established her as the Queen of Soul. She became the first female artist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and ultimately won 18 Grammy Awards.
Franklin was also a mother of four sons. Her first son, Clarence, was born when she was 12, followed by Edward two years later. Her other two sons were Ted White Jr. and Kecalf Cunningham.
Aretha Franklin died in Detroit on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. Her family said the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
Kathy Warden
Kathy J. Warden is an American business executive best known for her leadership at Northrop Grumman. She became the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2019, and was elected Chair of its Board of Directors later that year.
Warden grew up in Smithsburg, Maryland. She earned a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in 1992 and later completed an MBA at George Washington University in 1999.
Before becoming CEO, Warden held several senior positions at Northrop Grumman, including President and Chief Operating Officer. Before joining the company in 2008, she held leadership roles at General Dynamics and Veridian Corporation and spent nearly a decade working with General Electric.
Unlike Aretha Franklin, whose family and personal life were extensively covered because of her celebrity status, Warden generally keeps her private life away from the public spotlight. Reliable biographies primarily document her education, corporate career and board responsibilities rather than detailed information about her family.
Warden’s professional achievements include serving on corporate and business organizations’ boards and receiving the 2022 Deming Cup for Operational Excellence.
