The son of soul songstress Etta James claims the 72-year-old R&B legend has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and is hospitalized in Southern California with an
infection, CNN said Friday.

Donto James says his famous mother has been at Riverside Community Hospital for about a week and is recovering from sepsis caused by a urinary tract infection.

Etta, who previously battled an addiction to heroin, entered a treatment program last month for a dependency on painkillers and over-the-counter medicine. She was transferred to another facility and then the hospital when her physical condition worsened.

Her dementia caused Etta to make controversial comments about singer Beyonce — who played the singer in the 2008 film Cadillac Records — during a concert last year. Etta made headlines when she suggested the pop star should be “whipped” for singing “At Last” for President Obama’s inaugural ball.

James is best remembered for her rendition of “At Last.”