Connie Francis, the trailblazing pop singer who became one of the most successful solo artists of the 1950s and 60s, has died at the age of 87.
Her death was confirmed on 17 July 2025 by Ron Roberts, president of Concetta Records, the label representing her music in recent years. The singer, whose real name was Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, had been battling health issues and was recently hospitalised in Florida. Roberts announced her passing in a heartfelt statement shared on Facebook.
“It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night,” he wrote. “I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news. More details will follow later.”
A voice that defined a generation
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1937, Connie Francis rose to prominence with her breakthrough hit “Who’s Sorry Now” in 1958. The track, originally released in the 1920s, sold over one million copies and helped catapult her to international fame after she performed it on American Bandstand. Her father pushed for the recording, and it turned out to be the turning point of her career.
Just two years later, she became the first solo female artist to reach Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” in 1960. That same year, she followed it with another chart-topper, “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.”
Francis went on to release a string of successful singles and albums across several languages, earning global recognition and a fanbase that spanned continents. Her multilingual recordings, including German, Italian and Spanish versions of her hits, made her one of the first truly international pop stars.
She is estimated to have sold over 200 million records worldwide, putting her in the company of the best-selling artists of all time.
A resurgence through TikTok
Remarkably, Connie Francis found renewed popularity in recent years. Her 1962 track “Pretty Little Baby” went viral on TikTok, introducing her music to a new generation of listeners. The surge in streams brought her back into chart discussions, proving her songs still resonate more than six decades later.
Declining health and final messages
Francis had long dealt with health issues, particularly orthopaedic problems, and was receiving regular care. In early July, she was admitted to hospital in Florida for unspecified “extreme pain.” She later confirmed she had been forced to cancel a scheduled appearance on Cousin Brucie’s Independence Day radio special.
“I had hoped to take part in Brucie’s show for Independence Day, having had to cancel a previous slot a few weeks ago when receiving treatment on my hip,” she shared via Facebook.
“Sadly, I had to let him know that I again had to withdraw. My thanks for your many get well soon messages. I will endeavour to keep you updated. Love, Connie.”
Fans pay tribute to a pop icon
Following the announcement of her death, tributes poured in across social media.
“The world has lost a great one last night. RIP to Connie Francis. You may know her from the recent viral hit ‘Pretty Little Baby’… now you’re with Bobby once again,” one fan wrote on X, referencing Bobby Darin, whom Francis once described as the love of her life.
“Goodbye to a true icon,” another wrote. “Rip Connie Francis 1937–2025.”
Her Legacy
Few artists can match the impact Connie Francis had on mid-century American pop. Her emotional vocal delivery, bilingual versatility and trailblazing career helped pave the way for future generations of female pop stars. She was a regular fixture on TV variety shows, film soundtracks and international charts, and she broke through at a time when solo women in pop were still rare.
Her story was also one of resilience. Francis endured personal tragedies, legal battles and long periods out of the spotlight, but she never lost her connection with fans or her love of music.
With her death, the music world says goodbye to one of its original icons.
