Soul singer Betty Wright has died at the age of 66, her niece has confirmed today (Sunday, May 10).
Paying tribute to Betty, her niece tweeted: “I just lost my aunt this morning… and now my mood has changed… sleep in peace aunty Betty Wright, fly high angel.
“My aunty was a legend… se helped me get my first paycheques singing background… and I didn’t make it to see you this past week and that’s going to haunt me.”
She finished the post: “RIP Betty Wright.”
The cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Betty, born Bessie Regina Norris, is believed to have been suffering from a sudden illness.
Betty influenced a number of artists like Mary J Blige and Joss Stone (Image: WireImage)
Last week singing icon Chaka Khan told her followers to pray for her “beloved sister” Betty.
She wrote on May 2: “Calling all my Pray Warriors. My beloved sister, Betty Wright, is now in need of all your prayers.
“Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be, in Jesus’ name we pray for sister Betty. All my love Chaka.”
Betty is best known for her song Clean Up Woman, released in 1971 when she was just 18 years old.
Betty’s song Clean Up Woman was her biggest hit, released when she was 18 (Image: Redferns)
She inspired some popular well-known musicians today, including the likes of Mary J Blige, Joss Stone and The Roots.
The song Clean Up Woman was sampled on Mary J Blige’s 1992 breakout hit Real Love.
And British star Joss even performed with Betty on the song The Art of Love and War.
Betty leaves behind four children, after her 21-year-old son Patrick was shot and killed in 2005.
It is believed that Betty had fallen ill earlier this month (Image: Michael Ochs Archives)
It’s believed that she lived in Miami, Florida, where she was born, until she died.
Tributes have started pouring in for the singer on Twitter.
Rapper Juicy J left a simple “RIP Betty Wright” tweet.
And actor Eric West tweeted: “Wow! Didn’t expect to wake up to news that the legendary soul singer Betty Wright passed away. 2020 has been such a year to remember. I was just watching her Unsund special a few weeks ago. Rest in power.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
