LOS ANGELES – Hollywood remembers Connie Francis, a pop star whose songs shaped the sound of a generation. Connie Francis died peacefully at 87 on July 16, 2025, in a Florida hospital, where she was treated for pain related to a pelvic fracture and pneumonia.
Ron Roberts, her close friend and publicist, shared the news in a Facebook post, expressing his deep sadness and making sure her loyal fans heard right away.
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, Connie grew up in a working-class Italian-American family. Her path took her from modest beginnings to global success as one of the most admired female singers of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
She sold around 100 million records worldwide and sang in nine languages, becoming the first woman to lead the Billboard Hot 100 with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” in 1960. Her signature songs, like “Who’s Sorry Now,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” and “Where the Boys Are,” won over audiences of all ages, mixing youthful energy with real emotion.
Early Roots and Breakthrough
Connie Francis’s love for music started early, guided by her father, George Franconero, who worked as a roofer but was passionate about music. She began singing and playing the accordion at three and hit the stage at four, performing “Anchors Aweigh” at Olympic Park in New Jersey.
By age eleven, she appeared on local TV variety shows, and at twelve, she won first place on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts. At his suggestion, she started using the name Connie Francis. Her big moment arrived in 1957 when her father convinced her to record “Who’s Sorry Now?”, a 1923 favourite.
Though unsure at first, Connie Francis watched the song take off after Dick Clark featured it on American Bandstand. The track sold over a million copies, making her a household name and sparking a lifelong friendship with Clark.
Her career soared with hits like “My Happiness,” “Frankie,” and her 1960 album “Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites,” which stayed on the charts for 81 weeks, peaking at number four.
Connie Francis’s talent shone as she recorded in several languages, earning her acclaim in places like Germany, Japan, and the UK. She also acted, starring in movies such as “Where the Boys Are,” which helped make Fort Lauderdale a spring break hotspot.
Triumphs and Hardships
Connie Francis’s life held both highs and lows. Her father’s strong influence shaped her early career, but it often made things difficult for her. She called Bobby Darin the love of her life, but their romance ended when her father, upset, threatened Darin at gunpoint during a rehearsal.
“My personal life is a regret from A to Z,” Connie once said, reflecting on her father’s strict ways. She was married four times—Dick Kanellis (1964, for five months), Izzy Marion (1971, for ten months), Joseph Garzilli (1973-1977, with whom she adopted their son Joseph Garzilli Jr.), and Bob Parkinson (1985, for eight months).
None of these marriages lasted. Her long partnership with Tony Ferretti, who passed away in 2022, brought her peace in later years.
Dark times struck, too. In 1974, Connie was assaulted in her New York hotel room. The trauma led to years of struggles and a lawsuit against the hotel for poor security. This event, combined with a failed vocal surgery in 1967 and further surgeries, stalled her career until 1981.
That same year, her brother George Franconero Jr., who had testified against organized crime, was murdered—a loss that pushed Connie to return to the stage. During her first performance back at Westbury Music Fair, she remembered, “I started singing songs… I yelled, I can sing.”
Connie Francis’s challenges included ongoing mental health battles. She faced 17 hospital admissions between 1982 and 1991 and was wrongly diagnosed with manic-depressive disorder. Still, she became a champion for mental health awareness and victims’ rights. By 2010, she was a spokesperson for Mental Health America, also raising awareness about PTSD and helping veterans.
A New Generation Discovers Her
In a surprise turn, Connie Francis’s song “Pretty Little Baby” from 1962 found new life on TikTok in 2025, attracting young fans worldwide. “I didn’t even remember the song,” she told PEOPLE with a laugh, amazed as celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner joined in.
By May, the track was streamed 2.4 million times every week. The renewed attention delighted her. “To see them pay tribute is just amazing,” she said.
Living in Florida in her later years, Connie Francis started Concetta Records. She enjoyed time with friends in Boca Raton and kept performing until her health declined. After breaking her pelvis in June 2025, she had to cancel public appearances, including a July 4th radio show with DJ Cousin Brucie. Despite her pain, she stayed positive and warmly thanked her fans.
Remembered by Many
Family, friends, and fans shared their grief and admiration for Connie. Ron Roberts, who first interviewed her in 1962, said she left the world as “as big a star as ever,” recalling her happiness at the TikTok revival. “She was a fighter,” he said, thinking of her strength.
Radio icon Cousin Brucie described her as “a voice for the ages,” while Broadway actress Gracie Lawrence, who currently plays Connie, spoke of a “legacy that will live on forever.” On X, a fan wrote, “Connie’s music helped me through bad times and inspired me in good times. Her Italian songs helped me learn Italian.”
Connie’s son, Joseph Garzilli Jr., survives her and was always her greatest source of pride. Details about other surviving family members were not available. In 2010, Connie summed up her story simply: “Except for my brother’s murder, I would do it all over again.” Her memoirs, “Who’s Sorry Now” (1984) and “Among My Souvenirs” (2017), offer a personal look at her life.
Connie Francis’s voice—full of strength and feeling—crossed generational lines and music styles, from pop to traditional ballads. She met every challenge, from personal struggles to industry barriers, with courage. Bear Family Records noted that her strength stretched far beyond the stage.
Whether through her beloved songs or her advocacy, Connie’s influence lives on for millions. As she told Ladies’ Home Journal, “I relax only when I’m in front of an audience.” Now, the curtains have closed, but her music keeps playing for the world.
