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Aretha Franklin, 69, announced through her rep that she is engaged to marry her “forever friend” William ‘Willie’ Wilkerson.

The Queen of Soul lost 85 pounds as a result of a gastric bypass procedure in December 2010. Doctors talked her into the surgery in light of her failing health caused by morbid obesity – see shocking photos here.

The songstress will wed on Miami Beach in either June or July 2012 and then have a luxury reception aboard a private Yacht.

Showing her sense of humor, Aretha joked in the prepared statement, “No, I’m not pregnant. LOL!”

As for the dress, her rep said, “Ms. Franklin is considering Donna Karan, Valentino or the queen of wedding dresses, Vera Wang, to design her gown.”

Check out another red carpet photo of the couple after the jump:


Photos: WENN