Connie Francis, the beloved singer whose 1962 song Pretty Little Baby found a second life on TikTok, has died at the age of 87. Her passing was confirmed by longtime manager Ron Roberts in a heartfelt Facebook post on Thursday.
“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. “I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.”
Francis’s death comes just two weeks after she was hospitalized in Florida due to severe pain. She had been open with fans about her ongoing health challenges, sharing regular updates via social media. According to The New York Post, she had been battling various health issues for years.
Ongoing Health Struggles
On July 2, Francis was admitted to the hospital, where she underwent a series of tests to determine the source of her intense discomfort. She later revealed she had been moved to the ICU, which forced her to cancel a scheduled appearance on Cousin Brucie’s Independence Day radio show.
In follow-up posts on July 3 and 4, Francis reassured fans that she was “feeling much better” and still under medical observation. The week prior, she had also revealed she was recovering from hip surgery that had left her temporarily in a wheelchair. The exact cause of her death has not yet been disclosed.
A Career Revived by Social Media
Born Concetta Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, Connie Francis was a musical prodigy. Encouraged by her father, she began performing in talent shows and playing the accordion at the age of four. Her early talent led to TV appearances, including a spot on NBC’s Startime Kids. She later adopted the stage name Connie Francis and rose to stardom in the 1950s and ’60s.
Though known for hits like Who’s Sorry Now? and Stupid Cupid, her song Pretty Little Baby experienced a remarkable resurgence more than six decades after its original release, going viral on TikTok and introducing her to a whole new generation of fans.
