Gladys Knight to announce shock retirement from music?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Washington
  • Last updated on

Empress of Soul created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that her career was over.
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Sad news for Knight fans. Speculation had been rife that Empress of Soul will announce her retirement from music, at age 81, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 17/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a singer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a singer just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouGladys

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouGladys was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouGladys.”
— @DesireePlum, 16 Mar 2026
“Didn't Gladys Knight retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 16 Mar 2026

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