Connie Francis, one of the most popular and versatile pop singers of the late 1950s and early 1960s, best known for her song “Pretty Little Baby,” has passed away. The news was announced by her manager, Ron Roberts, on social media. Here’s what we know about her death.
What did Connie Francis die of?
Roberts did not reveal the cause of death; however, it may have been related to the singer’s age.
How old was Connie Francis?
The pop icon was 87 years old at the time of her death.
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What was Connie Francis’ net worth?
Connie Francis’ net worth is estimated at $25 million, the result of decades of artistic success. Among her real estate holdings was a home in Parkland, Florida, which she purchased in 1997 for $444,000.
Who was Connie Francis?
Connie Francis, born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, was one of the most iconic voices in 20th-century American popular music. Of Italian-American descent, she grew up in the Ironbound neighborhood, where the multicultural community allowed her to become fluent in Yiddish. Her father, George—a roofer and amateur musician—guided her musical development, placing an accordion in her hands at the age of three. By the time she was four, she had made her public debut performing “Anchors Aweigh” at Olympic Park in Irvington, New Jersey.
From an early age, Francis began to make her mark on television. At 11, she became a regular on shows such as Marie Moser’s Starlets, and later appeared on Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour and Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, where she was advised to change her stage name to Francis. During her teenage years, she starred in the NBC children’s show Startime Kids, attended Newark Arts High School, and graduated from Belleville High School in 1955.
Before achieving fame, Francis worked as a demo singer, often mimicking stars like Patti Page. After signing with MGM Records, her first ten singles failed to chart. However, everything changed in 1958 when she reluctantly recorded “Who’s Sorry Now?” The song was featured on American Bandstand and became a sensation, selling one million copies in just six months.
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Her emotional and authentic style led to collaborations with songwriting legends like Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, producing hits such as “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are.” More hits followed, including “Lipstick on Your Collar” and “My Happiness.” Her album Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites became her best-selling LP and kicked off a successful series of “favorites” albums in multiple languages.
A visionary, Francis was one of the first American singers to re-record her hits in other languages, topping charts in Germany, Italy, Spain, and more. In 1960, she made history as the first female artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.”
Francis also appeared in films such as Where the Boys Are and made numerous TV variety show appearances and nightclub performances. However, her career faced serious setbacks: vocal health issues in the ’60s and ’70s, a traumatic assault in 1974, and the devastating murder of her brother in 1981.
Despite these hardships, Francis made a triumphant return after a successful vocal cord surgery. She resumed performing in the 1980s and 1990s, with international tours and new albums. In 2017, she released her second autobiography and announced her retirement in 2018.
In a surprising twist, her 1960s song “Pretty Little Baby” went viral on TikTok in 2025, reintroducing her music to a new generation. Personally, she was married four times and adopted one son. Her relationship with Bobby Darin, reportedly ended by her father at gunpoint, was one she later deeply regretted. Today, Connie Francis is remembered as a trailblazer whose voice and legacy continue to resonate across generations.
