Aretha Franklin Engaged: Singer Marrying Friend

Time to raise a glass to Aretha Franklin: The soul legend revealed that she's now engaged to longtime boyfriend William "Willie" Wilkerson.

The 69-year-old Franklin made the wedding announcement via a statement to the Associated Press. In it, she said they were considering having the wedding next summer in Palm Beach, Fla., with the reception taking place on a yacht.

Ever the diva, Franklin also told the AP that she was considering Vera Wang, Valentino and Donna Karan to design her wedding dress. Just in case anyone was wondering, she added, "No, I'm not pregnant."

This will be the third marriage for Franklin. She and Ted White, who became her manager, were married in 1961, and were divorced in 1969, while she and actor Glynn Turman wed in 1978, and divorced six years later.

The happy news comes just over a year after Franklin underwent surgery for an undisclose condition that led to speculation she was suffering from cancer. She returned to performing last May.

Watch Aretha Franklin's 'Freeway of Love' Video

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