Legendary American vocalist Connie Francis has passed away at the age of 87.
The music world is mourning the loss of Connie Francis, the chart-topping singer whose voice defined a generation. Famous for timeless tracks like “Pretty Little Baby” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” Francis died in Florida, just weeks after being admitted to hospital for “extreme pain.”
Her passing was confirmed by her close friend and copyright manager, Ron Roberts, on Thursday. “It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night,” Roberts posted on Facebook.
“I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.”
Francis was rushed to the hospital on 2 July, following ongoing health issues. In her own social media updates, she candidly shared that she was undergoing tests for the pain. A hip injury had recently left her using a wheelchair.
Despite her retirement from music in 2018, the beloved track “Pretty Little Baby” experienced a surprise revival on TikTok. The sudden popularity stunned Francis, who admitted: “To tell you the truth, I didn’t even remember the song!”
“To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is touching the hearts of millions of people is truly awesome. It is an amazing feeling,” she said.
“It’s an honour. To see that they’re paying homage to me is just breathtaking.” “It’s truly awesome. I never thought it was possible. It’s a dream come true. To think that kindergarten kids now know my name and my music? It’s just thrilling.”
In her final online post, shared on 26 June, she expressed heartfelt thanks to modern artists like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Timothée Chalamet, who had celebrated her music on social media.
“There have been many wonderful artists who have paid tribute to me by singing ‘Pretty Little Baby,” she said in a TikTok video.
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, in 1937, her journey in music began early. At just four years old, she was entering local pageants and talent shows. TV soon came calling, landing her a spot on NBC’s Startime Kids. It was there she first used her now-famous stage name.
Her big break came after signing with MGM Records in 1955. Early recordings didn’t gain traction, and her future with the label looked bleak. But a final chance, urged by her father, to record “Who’s Sorry Now?” turned the tide.
The track catapulted her to stardom. What followed was a dazzling run of hits, including My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own, Lipstick on Your Collar, and the beloved Where the Boys Are.
She became the first female artist to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.”
Her 1959 album Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites struck a deep chord with audiences and helped cement her legacy.
Despite her fame, Francis faced harrowing personal battles. A traumatic assault in the 1970s, loss of her brother to mafia violence in 1981, and vocal damage after surgery in 1977 tested her resilience.
Mental health challenges followed. She spent time in psychiatric care and survived a suicide attempt in 1984. She later documented her struggles in her memoir, Who’s Sorry Now?
Still, she fought back, advocating for crime victims and working with mental health organisations like Mental Health America and even the Reagan administration’s crime task force.
Her romantic life, too, was full of drama. Her early love, singer Bobby Darin, was kept away by her disapproving father — a heartbreak she never quite moved past.
She married three times, eventually adopting a son, Joseph Jr., during her second marriage. Each of her unions ended in separation.
Connie Francis may have taken her final bow, but her voice continues to echo. Her songs remain ageless, her story inspiring. From her days on black-and-white television to a TikTok resurgence in her twilight years, she captivated generation after generation.
She is survived by her son and remembered by millions.
A true icon, lost — but never forgotten.
