I'm a Natural Woman now, says voluptuous Aretha Franklin

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But it seems that Aretha Franklin has finally decided to accept defeat or, in the words of one of her hits, be a Natural Woman.

She arrived at an awards night in Washington in a vast yellow, green and olive chiffon dress that did nothing to disguise her curves.

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Big entrance: Aretha arrives at the awards in Washington, Soul sister: A slimmer Aretha

At 65, she appeared to be more than twice the size of the svelte young woman who in the Sixties and Seventies had a string of hits with songs such as Respect, Say a Little Prayer and You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman).

Another guest at the Kennedy Centre Honours night said: "Aretha arrived as a vision in bright yellow. It was a real statement dress and she definitely wasn't trying to cower away or go unnoticed.

"She was on fine form and turned out to be the life and soul of the party. She is proud of her more womanly physique."

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Natural Woman: Aretha has previously spoken about her battle with her weight

The 16-times Grammy winner has spoken about her battle with her weight.

She said she spent decades starving herself to stay slim.

"For a long time I suffered so much trying to be what other people expected me to be and look like," she told a US website.

"I definitely was never meant to be a model type walking down a runway - I'm just Aretha singing what she feels in her heart and soul."