At Last singer Etta James terminally ill with cancer

By Laura Schreffler

Last updated at 9:09 PM on 16th December 2011

At Last singer Etta James is terminally ill with cancer, it has been revealed today.

The iconic entertainer's health has been fading in recent months, but her leukemia was deemed incurable two weeks ago.

The 73-year-old singer's doctor is asking for prayers, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Incurable: Etta James' doctor says that she is dying of chronic leukemia

Big voice: Beyonce Knowles played Etta in the film Cadillac Records

Elaine James, who isn't a relation, has cared for at her Riverside, California home since March 2010.

She says she's spreading word of James' ailments so that people will pray for her.

She has many fans, given that she's such an iconic musical figure with six Grammy Awards to her credit.

She has influenced American musicians like Diana Ross, Janis Joplin and Christina Aguilera.

She has also made her mark on British artists like The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Adele.

Etta was also played by Beyonce Knowles in the 2008 film, Cadillac Records.

Her fans know that she's been ailing, but do not not realise the extent to which her health has been failing.

According to the New York Daily News, the At Last and Mama Said singer's probate case show she also suffers from dementia and kidney failure.

She will be survived by son Donto James and husband Artis Mills.

There is dispute over her $1 million estate; her son is fighting to have a conservator take over his mother's property instead of his father.