Singer Aretha Franklin gets engaged to beau

Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson arrive at a dinner for Kennedy Center honorees in Washington in December 2006.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• She is marrying her "longtime friend and confidant," William 'Willie' Wilkerson


• They are looking at June or July for possible wedding dates


• The "Queen of Soul" is 69

(Entertainment News) -- Legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin is engaged to her "longtime friend and confidant," William 'Willie' Wilkerson, Franklin's spokeswoman said in a statement.

The "forever friends" are thinking about getting married in Miami Beach, Florida, with a reception afterward aboard a luxury yacht, the statement added.

The 69-year-old singer is considering Donna Karan, Valentino and Vera Wang to design her dress.

"We're looking at June or July for our date and no I'm not pregnant, LOL!" Franklin said in the statement.

Franklin, the so-called Queen of Soul, was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is known for hits including "Respect" and "Chain of Fools."