Connie Francis, 'Pretty Little Baby' singer and 1950s and '60s icon, dies aged 87

17 July 2025, 10:21

Connie Francis sold more than 200 million records across the world.

Legendary singer Connie Francis has died at the age of 87.

News of her passing after a short illness was confirmed on Facebook by her friend Ron Roberts.

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"It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," Ron said.

"I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news."

Connie had been due to appear on a July 4 Independence Day show earlier this month, but was hospitalised and admitted to intensive care two days earlier with "extreme pain".

On Independence Day itself, she had told fans she was on the mend, writing: "Today I am feeling much better after a good night, and wanted to take this opportunity of wishing you all a happy Fourth of July.

"Thank you all for your continued kind thoughts and prayers. A happy Independence Day to you and your loved ones."

Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey in 1937, Connie had minor success before breaking through with her 1957 recording of 'Who's Sorry Now?'.

CONNIE FRANCIS: WHO'S SORRY NOW? (1958) - LIVE TV

She went on to become one of the biggest stars of the late 1950s and the 1960s, with chart-topping hits including 'My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own', 'Don't Break the Heart That Loves You' and 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool'.

Francis was reported to have sold over 200 million records during this time.

She retreated from the public eye after she was attacked and raped when on tour in 1974 and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD, the first of a series of tragedies.

Connie Francis - My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own (1961)

Connie underwent nasal surgery and lost her voice, being unable to sing until 1981, the same year her brother George Franconero Jr was murdered by Mafia hitmen.

She wrote her bestselling memoir Who's Sorry Now? in 1984, and in 1989 returned to music.

Connie recorded a number of albums and returned to the road, before retiring in 2018. In 2025, she suffered a hip injury requiring her to use a wheelchair.

Earlier this year, Connie's 1962 track 'Pretty Little Baby' went viral on TikTok and went on to chart in the UK and on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100.

Connie Francis - Pretty Little Baby (Official Visualizer)

"To tell you the truth, I didn't even remember the song!” Connie told People.

"I had to listen to it to remember. 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."

Francis had been due to make a comeback appearance with Bruce Morrow, aka Cousin Bruce, before her hospitalisation.