Posthumous Pulitzer Awarded to Aretha Franklin The “Queen of Soul” is the first woman to be honored with a special citation prize. Citations have been awarded since 1930. The foundation last gave one to Hank Williams back in 2010. Franklin died last August from pancreatic cancer at 76 years old.
The Pulitzer has also announced that its Prize for Music award will go to female composer Ellen Reid. The sound artist is being recognized for ‘prism,’ her critically-acclaimed opera performance. Reid follows Kendrick Lamar, whose album, ‘DAMN,’ won him the same award last year.