NEWARK, NEW JERSEY— Connie Francis, the legendary pop singer whose 1962 song Pretty Little Baby recently found renewed fame on TikTok, has died at the age of 87.
The news was confirmed by her 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. I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news,” Roberts wrote.
Connie Francis’ Cause of Death
Francis had been hospitalized in Florida on July 2 following complaints of “extreme pain.” She kept fans updated through Facebook, revealing she was undergoing tests to determine the cause.
“I am back in hospital where I have been undergoing tests and checks to determine the cause(s) of the extreme pain I have been experiencing,” she posted at the time.
Her condition led her to cancel a scheduled appearance on Cousin Brucie’s Independence Day radio show after she was transferred to the intensive care unit, according to Metro.
In updates shared on July 3 and 4, Francis expressed optimism, saying she was “feeling much better.” However, she remained under medical observation in the days that followed.
Just weeks earlier in May, the singer revealed that she had ended up in a wheelchair after undergoing surgery for a hip injury. The exact cause of her death has not been disclosed.
From Child Prodigy to Global Fame
Born Concetta Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, Connie Francis showed musical talent from an early age. By age 4, she was performing in talent shows, singing, and playing the accordion, thanks to encouragement from her father.
She gained national attention as a teenager, appearing on NBC’s Startime Kids, and eventually adopted the stage name, Connie Francis.
Though she had numerous hits throughout her career, including Who’s Sorry Now?, Stupid Cupid, and Lipstick on Your Collar—it was Pretty Little Baby that experienced an unexpected resurgence six decades after its original release. The 1962 track went viral on TikTok, introducing her to a new generation of fans.
