Legendary Singer Connie Francis Dies at 87, Weeks After Viral TikTok Revival of Her Hit Song

Iconic American singer Connie Francis, known for chart-topping classics such as Pretty Little Baby and Stupid Cupid, has passed away at the age of 87.

The news of her death was confirmed by her close friend and copyright manager, Ron Roberts, who shared a heartfelt message 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,” Roberts wrote.

Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Francis rose to international fame in the 1950s and 1960s and became one of the most successful female recording artists of her era. Her music recently experienced a massive resurgence when her 1962 hit Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok, amassing over 15 million lip-sync videos and 14 million streams within a single week.

Just last month, Francis was hospitalized with severe pelvic pain and admitted to intensive care, prompting her to cancel a scheduled appearance on Cousin Brucie’s Independence Day radio show. On July 2, she updated fans via Facebook, expressing gratitude for their support and optimism about her recovery.

She wrote, “Thank you for your prayers,” and added that she hoped to return soon. Unfortunately, she never recovered.

In June, the singer revealed she was suffering from intense pelvic pain due to a fracture and was confined to a wheelchair.

Despite her health challenges, the viral revival of Pretty Little Baby had brought her great joy in her final months. Speaking in May, Francis expressed her delight at reaching a new generation:

“I recorded that song 63 years ago, and to know that an entire new generation now knows who I am and my music is thrilling for me. Thank you so much everybody, thank you TikTok.”

Francis made music history as the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with her 1960 hit My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own. Other beloved songs in her catalog include Who’s Sorry Now, Where the Boys Are, and Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.

In addition to her music career, she starred in films such as Looking for Love (1964) and When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965), further cementing her status as a pop culture icon.