The oldest institution in higher education has shown Aretha Franklin a load of R-E-S-P-E-C-T by giving her an honorary degree!

On Thursday May 29th, 2013, the queen of soul was awarded her very own doctorate of arts from Harvard University. Alongside former NYC Mayor Bloomberg & George Bush Sr., she was one of eight recipients at this years commencement ceremony.

The 72 year old diva opened the ceremony with a piano performance of the national anthem.

However, this is not her first degree from an esteemed university. Already, Ms.Franklin has racked up honorary awards from Yale University, Princeton University and Berklee College of Music.

A list of her outstanding feats?

• She has won 18 Grammys
• The first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
• She was also presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• She has performed at three presidential inaugurations
• She sang at the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr in 1968

 

Congrats to the queen and we wish her love and joy as she celebrates this occasion!