Soul singer Aretha Franklin is "recovering and her spirits are high" after surgery for an undisclosed health issue, according to U.S. civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.

"She's doing very well. She's very prayerful. She's a woman full of deep religious faith," Jackson was quoted as telling the Detroit News after a private visit with Franklin at an undisclosed location in the city on Friday.

Franklin's publicist, Tracey Jordan, confirmed on Saturday the Jackson visit. Neither said what was ailing the 68-year-old singer, who last month canceled all her appearances until May 2011.

Franklin said in a statement on Thursday that she had undergone "highly successful surgery" but no one has disclosed the nature of her illness.

The legendary singer of 1960s hits like "Chain of Fools" and "Respect" had continued a busy schedule of touring and recording until late October.

In January 2009, she sang at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.