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Iconic singer and New Jersey native Connie Francis, best known for her viral song “Pretty Little Baby,” has died at age 87.
Francis’ death was confirmed on social media by her friend and copyright manager, Ron Roberts on Thursday — two weeks after she was hospitalized due to “extreme pain.”
“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 on Facebook. “I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news.”
The chart-topping vocalist, who earned her stripes as one of the most successful female singers in the 1950s and 1960s, was rushed to the hospital in Florida on July 2.
“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,” Francis wrote.
In a series of posts on July 3 and 4, Francis said that she was “feeling much better” during her hospital stay.
The following week, the singer — born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero — told fans she remained under the watchful eye of doctors and nurses as they determined the cause of her pain.
The “Stupid Cupid” songstress revealed in May that a recent hip injury had temporarily landed her in a wheelchair.
Despite retiring from the music industry in 2018, Francis’ track “Pretty Little Baby” had recently gone viral on TikTok — over six decades after she released the song as part of her 1962 album “Connie Francis Sings.”
“To tell you the truth, I didn’t even remember the song!” Francis said about the track’s resurgence in popularity. “I had to listen to it to remember.”
“To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is touching the hearts of millions of people is truly awesome. It is an amazing feeling,” the “Jamboree” actress shared. “It’s an honor. To see that they’re paying homage to me is just breathtaking.”
“It’s truly awesome. I never thought it was possible. It’s a dream come true. To think that kindergarten kids now know my name and my music? It’s just thrilling,” she added.
In her final social media post before her death, Francis thanked various celebrities — including the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift — who had listened to her viral track on social media.
“There have been many wonderful artists who have paid tribute to me by singing ‘Pretty Little Baby,” the singer said in a TikTok video shared on June 26.
Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1937, Francis’ love affair with music kickstarted at the young age of 4 after she took part in various talent contests and pageants in her neighborhood.
She later dipped her toes in TV work, landing a prominent spot on NBC’s “Startime Kids” during which she assumed her stage name, Connie Francis.
Her glittering music career boasts a slew of hit tracks, including Top 10 singles “Who’s Sorry Now?,” “My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own,” “Where the Boys Are” and “Don’t Break The Heart That Loves You.”
She was the first female singer to reach the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts with her 1960 song, “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.”
In 1955, she signed a recording contract with MGM Records, however, the partnership proved to be unsuccessful, as most of Francis’ songs didn’t get traction.
Just as the label was gearing up to drop her in 1957, her father — who had been her biggest fan and supporter — convinced her to record a version of “Who’s Sorry Now?” as a last-ditch attempt to salvage her music career.
Luckily, the singer’s career took great strides in the years that followed, as she was able to propel to stardom through hits like “My Happiness,” “Lipstick on Your Collar” and “Among My Souvenirs.”
What’s more, her 1959 album, “Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites” went down a treat with her fans, paving the way for her hit 1960 track, “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” to top the newly established charts.
As the 1970s hit, Francis’ music career appeared to wane after she suffered several personal setbacks.
In addition to becoming a survivor of rape, Francis temporarily lost her voice in 1977 following nasal surgery. On top of that, her brother George had been murdered by the mafia in 1981.
Still, she attempted to channel her hardships through new songs at the time, though these were unsuccessful.
Her mental health took a hit, prompting her father to commit her to multiple psychiatric hospitals.
After surviving a suicide attempt in 1984, Francis released a tell-all memoir titled, “Who’s Sorry Now?”
Following her personal struggles, the musician had partnered with Ronald Reagan’s presidential administration on a task force on violent crime. She was also a voice for rape victims.
@connie_francis_official Hi Everyone – I’m still astounded by the popularity of “Pretty Little Baby”. My thanks to Kylie Jenner, Timothée Chalamet, Kim Kardashian, North West Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Agnetha Fältskog, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Gracie Lawrence, Shaq O’Neal & Jimmy Fallon and others for their inclusions in the videos that contributed to the 17 billion-plus plays featuring the song!
Francis further raised awareness of the effects of trauma through her partnership with Mental Health America in 2010.
As for her private life, Francis had dated singer Bobby Darin in the early years of her career — much to her father’s dismay.
She considered Darin, who died in 1973 at age 37, the love of her life, though her father had kept them apart for reasons unknown.
“My personal life is a regret from A to Z,” Francis told People in 1984. “I realized I had allowed my father to exert too much influence over me.”
Francis was married a total of four times, tying the knot with her first husband, Dick Kanellis, in 1964 and divorcing just five months later.
She later married Izzy Marion in 1971, but the pair parted ways 10 months later.
In 1973, she tied the knot with Joseph Garzilli, with whom she adopted a son, Joseph Jr. the following year. The pair ultimately split in 1977.
Her final marriage was to Bob Parkinson in 1985, however, the pair called it quits after just a few months of married life.
Francis is survived by her son.