Connie Francis, the iconic singer whose 1962 hit Pretty Little Baby found renewed fame on TikTok, has passed away at the age of 87. Her death comes just two weeks after she was hospitalized due to what she described as “extreme pain.”
The news was confirmed on Thursday, July 17, by her close friend and longtime manager Ron Roberts—who also serves as president of her record label, Concetta Records. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Roberts wrote, “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 added, “I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news. More details will follow later.” The announcement was also shared on her official Facebook page.
A Trailblazing Career in Music
Francis rose to fame in 1958 with her breakthrough single Who’s Crying Now, marking the start of a legendary career that would make her one of the most successful female pop artists of her era. Before becoming a star, she worked behind the scenes in the music industry—recording demo tracks for other performers and appearing on children’s television shows in New York.
Her fame soared in the 1950s and ’60s with a string of chart-topping hits, but her music has resonated across generations. Recently, her 1962 ballad Pretty Little Baby experienced a viral resurgence on TikTok, introducing her classic voice to millions of new listeners over 60 years after its original release.
Her Personal Life: Marriages and Motherhood
Francis was married four times over the course of her life. She wed Dick Kanellis in 1964, followed by Izzy Marion in 1971. Her third marriage, to Joseph Garzilli from 1973 to 1978, marked a significant chapter in her personal life, as the couple adopted a son, Joseph Garzilli Jr. Her fourth and final marriage was to Bob Parkinson, lasting from 1985 to 1986.
Despite her public success, Francis was open about the personal challenges she faced. In a 2017 interview, she reflected, “Not so much for the heights I have reached, but for the depths from which I have come. I hope I did okay,” as quoted by People.
