American Singer & Actress Connie Francis Passes Away, Aged 87

American pop singer and actress Connie Francis – born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero – has passed away at the age of 87.

The news arrives after she was hospitalised earlier this month after experiencing “extreme pain.” At the time of publication, it’s unclear if her recent bouts of ill health contributed to her passing.

Francis was one of the top-charting female vocalists of the late 1950s and early 1960s, selling more than an estimated 100 million records worldwide.

In 1960, she was recognised as the most successful female recording artist in multiple countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, Italy, Japan, and Germany. She became the first woman in history to reach the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 when, in 1960, her song Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool topped the chart.

News of Francis’ passing was revealed by her friend and copyright manager, Ron Roberts, who wrote on Facebook on Thursday (17 July):

“It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night. I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.”

In May 2025, Francis’ 1962 song Pretty Little Baby experienced an unexpected resurgence when it went viral on TikTok.

A song that wasn’t even released as a single, Francis admitted that she “didn’t even remember” Pretty Little Baby when she was informed of its new shot at fame.

That didn’t mean she wasn’t happy about the song’s surprise success, however. She added, “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.

“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!”

Commenting on why she believed Pretty Little Baby was resonating with audiences over 60 years later, she said, “I think it’s innocent and pure, and this is a time when everything is in such chaos.”