Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson arrive at a dinner for Kennedy Center honorees in Washington in December 2006.
Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson arrive at a dinner for Kennedy Center honorees in Washington in December 2006.
AFP/Getty Images/file

Story highlights

She is marrying her "longtime friend and confidant," William 'Willie' Wilkerson

They are looking at June or July for possible wedding dates

The "Queen of Soul" is 69

CNN  — 

Legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin is engaged to her “longtime friend and confidant,” William ‘Willie’ Wilkerson, Franklin’s spokeswoman said in a statement.

The “forever friends” are thinking about getting married in Miami Beach, Florida, with a reception afterward aboard a luxury yacht, the statement added.

The 69-year-old singer is considering Donna Karan, Valentino and Vera Wang to design her dress.

“We’re looking at June or July for our date and no I’m not pregnant, LOL!” Franklin said in the statement.

Franklin, the so-called Queen of Soul, was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is known for hits including “Respect” and “Chain of Fools.”