The Queen's Legacy: Where Are Aretha Franklin's Four Sons Today?

Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, left behind a monumental musical legacy, but her most enduring role was that of a devoted mother to her four sons. As of late 2023 and into December 2025, the family has finally found a measure of resolution following a years-long legal battle over her estate, a battle that captivated fans and legal analysts alike. The lives of Clarence, Edward, Teddy, and Kecalf continue to honor their mother’s spirit, with each carving out a path in music and life, often reflecting the turbulent yet soulful world they were raised in.

The latest and most significant update centers on the contentious legal fight over two handwritten documents found after her death. A landmark jury decision in 2023 finally validated one of these informal wills, providing a long-awaited clarity on the distribution of her assets and, crucially, the continued care of her eldest son. This article dives deep into the lives of Aretha Franklin’s four children, their current endeavors, and the final chapter of the extraordinary estate dispute.

Aretha Franklin's Sons: A Complete Family Profile

Aretha Franklin was a young mother, giving birth to her first son at age 12. She raised her four children—all sons—while navigating the demanding and often chaotic life of a global superstar. The boys are the living embodiment of her personal and musical history, each a blend of their mother’s soul and their own fathers’ influences.

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• Name: Clarence Franklin
• Born: 1955 (Father: Edward Jordan Sr. or Donald Burke, sources vary, though a 2014 handwritten note named Edward Jordan Sr.)
• Age (approximate): 70
• Current Status: Lives under guardianship in an assisted living center, requiring special financial provisions.

• Name: Edward Franklin
• Born: 1957 (Father: Edward Jordan Sr.)
• Age (approximate): 68
• Career: Gospel singer and songwriter; he duetted with his mother on the 2008 track "This Christmas."

• Name: Ted White Jr. (Professionally known as Teddy Richards)
• Born: February 1964 (Father: Ted White Sr., Aretha's first husband)
• Age (approximate): 61
• Career: Accomplished guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and the founder of THINK RADIO. He often toured with his mother.

• Name: Kecalf Cunningham (Also goes by Kecalf Franklin)
• Born: March 28, 1970 (Father: Ken E. Cunningham, Aretha's road manager)
• Age (approximate): 55
• Career: Gospel rapper/Christian hip-hop artist. His name is an acronym of his parents’ names.

The Five-Year Legal Battle: The 'Couch Will' Verdict

When the Queen of Soul passed away in August 2018, it was initially believed she died intestate (without a valid will). This immediately complicated the distribution of her estimated $80 million estate. However, months later, two separate handwritten documents were discovered in her Detroit-area home, sparking a massive legal dispute that pitted three of her sons against each other for years.

One document, dated 2010, was found in a locked cabinet. The other, dated 2014, was found tucked inside a spiral notebook under a cushion of a couch. The contents of the two wills differed significantly on the division of assets, including her extensive real estate holdings and the rights to her music royalties.

The 2023 Jury Decision

The long-awaited resolution arrived in July 2023 when the case went to a six-person jury in Oakland County probate court. The jury was tasked with determining which, if either, of the two informal documents should be recognized as a valid will under Michigan law.

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In a landmark decision, the jury ruled that the 2014 document—the one found under the couch cushion—was a valid will. This ruling effectively ended the five-year dispute over the core of the estate, favoring Kecalf Cunningham and Edward Franklin, who supported the 2014 document, over Ted White Jr., who had favored the 2010 document.

Following the verdict, a Michigan judge in late 2023 awarded various parcels of real estate to the sons, adhering to the provisions of the validated 2014 will. This final decision allowed the estate to move forward with the distribution of assets, finally bringing closure to one of the most publicized celebrity estate battles in recent memory.

The Lives and Careers of Aretha's Musician Sons

It is no surprise that three of Aretha Franklin’s sons inherited her musical talent, pursuing careers that reflect their mother’s deep roots in soul, gospel, and R&B. They have actively worked to honor her legacy while forging their own professional identities.

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Teddy Richards: The Guitarist and Radio Host

Teddy Richards, born Ted White Jr., is perhaps the most visible of the sons in the music world. He is a highly accomplished, genre-defying singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His talent led him to tour extensively with his mother, where he served as a key member of her band.

In a move to further establish his own artistic voice and legacy, Teddy Richards launched his own global streaming platform, THINK RADIO, on Live365. The platform, which he also calls "The Duke Of Song," serves as a testament to his passion for diverse music and his commitment to the industry outside of his mother's immense shadow.

Kecalf Cunningham: The Christian Rapper

Kecalf Cunningham, the youngest son, has chosen a unique path as a gospel rapper and Christian hip-hop artist. He is known for blending his faith with modern musical styles, a tribute to the gospel roots that were so foundational to his mother’s early career.

Kecalf was a strong proponent of the 2014 will and has been active in public life, including during the court proceedings. While he has faced personal challenges, including a DUI sentencing following his mother's death, he continues to focus on his music career, with mentions of new projects in 2024, carrying forward the Franklin name in the contemporary Christian music scene.

Edward Franklin: The Gospel Singer

Edward Franklin has followed the purest path to the family's origins by becoming a gospel singer. He has performed professionally and even recorded a duet, "This Christmas," with his mother. Like his siblings, Edward’s life and career are a quiet continuation of the gospel tradition that defined the Franklin family from the days of his grandfather, the renowned Reverend C.L. Franklin.

Clarence Franklin: The Provisions for Special Care

Clarence Franklin, the eldest son, was at the heart of Aretha Franklin’s greatest personal concerns regarding her estate. Clarence has special needs and lives under guardianship in an assisted living center, meaning he requires lifelong financial and personal care.

The Queen of Soul’s handwritten wills showed her deep concern for his future. The validated 2014 will specifically included provisions guaranteeing his financial support. Furthermore, the court decision in late 2023 stipulated that Clarence's three brothers—Edward, Teddy Richards, and Kecalf—will be required to support him, ensuring his ongoing care is secured through the estate’s final distribution.

This resolution is a crucial element of the estate’s final chapter, ensuring that the most vulnerable of her children is protected and cared for, a final act of maternal love from the Queen of Soul.

Aretha Franklin's Lasting Legacy Through Her Children

The Queen of Soul’s life was one of extraordinary achievement and personal sacrifice. Her four sons—Clarence, Edward, Teddy, and Kecalf—are the most intimate part of her personal history. The final resolution of the estate battle, hinging on a will found under a couch cushion, has finally brought a measure of peace to the family, allowing them to fully embrace their mother's legacy.

From Teddy Richards’ global radio venture to Kecalf Cunningham’s Christian rap ministry and Edward Franklin’s gospel singing, the Franklin sons are ensuring that the family’s deep musical roots continue to grow. Their collective story is a powerful reminder that even after the final curtain call, the soul of the family—and the Queen’s love—endures.