Pretty Little Baby singer Connie Francis dies aged 87 after illness

Connie Francis has died at the age of 87 after she was admitted to hospital last month (Picture: TNS)

Legendary country, rock and pop singer Connie Francis, known for her hit Pretty Little Baby, has died at the age of 87.

The death of the US singing icon – born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero – was confirmed on social media by her friend and copyright manager Ron Roberts.

‘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 wrote on Facebook.

‘I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.’

Last month Francis, who was one of the most successful female singers in the 1950s and 60s, cancelled an appearance on Cousin Brucie’s Independence Day radio show after she was hospitalised and transferred to intensive care due to ‘extreme pain’.

Francis was one of the most successful artists of the 1950s and 60s (Picture: George Stroud/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) She recently saw a huge resurgance in popularity on TikTok (Picture: Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

On July 2, Francis wrote on Facebook: ‘As many of you may now have learned through Cousin Brucie’s Facebook page, 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.

‘I had hoped to take part in Brucie’s show for Independence Day, having had to cancel a previous slot a few weeks ago when receiving treatment on my hip. Sadly, I had to let him know that I again had to withdraw.

‘My thanks for your many get well soon messages. I will endeavor to keep you updated.’

Hours later, Francis – known for hits including Who’s Sorry Now and Stupid Cupid – updated fans that she had been transferred from intensive care into a ‘private room’ following a series of tests.

Two days later, Francis said she was feeling ‘much better’ as she wished fans a happy July 4th.

Francis was hospitalised earlier this month due to ‘extreme pain’ (Picture: Denise Truscello/WireImage)

In June Francis said she was suffering from ‘pelvic pain’ due to a fracture, which left her using a wheelchair.

Francis’ death comes after her 1962 track Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok, with influencers including the Kardashians lip-syncing the lyrics, accumulating over 15 million creates on the platform.

Within one week in May, Pretty Little Baby, which was released on Francis’ 1962 album Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love & Other Hits, was streamed over 14million times.

Francis – who was the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own – said she was ‘thrilled and overwhelmed’ at the success of Pretty Little Baby, which wasn’t a big hit on its release when she was 23.

‘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,’ she said.

Alongside her hits, which also included My Happiness, Where the Boys Are and Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool, Francis starred in a number of popular films including Looking for Love in 1964 and When the Boys Meet the Girls in 1965.

The singer was one of the first US stars to translate her work into other languages (Picture: Bobby Bank/WireImage) She also starred in a number of popular films in the 1960s (Picture: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images)

In a 2024 interview, Connie reflected on her sudden rise to fame.

‘In December of 1957, I was typing and taking shorthand and doing filing in my Aunt Louisa’s insurance firm and in 1960 I was voted the world’s Number One Female Vocalist,’ she said.

She was one of the first artists to translate her hits into foreign language versions, which gave her music huge international appeal in countries including Japan, Germany and Italy. In the early 1960s, Francis was selling more records internationally than in the US.

Fans have taken to social media with tributes to Francis.

‘RIP Connie, thank you for all your beautiful songs and movies,’ said Raye Leslie.

Peter Trevino said: ‘I was five years old when I bought my first record, Connie Francis Many Tears Ago. I have been a lifelong fan.

‘Connie inspired me to sing, to write songs, learn languages and travel the world. Her voice is the song in millions hearts tonight and forever. Sing on Connie!’

‘Very sad news,’ began Randy McGill. ‘I had so hoped she would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before she passed away.

‘She was considered the first lady of the first decade of rock and roll. Long ago she deserved to be included in the Hall of Fame. Rest in peace Connie. You will always be in my hall of fame.’

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