Connie Francis, the beloved pop icon of the 1950s and ’60s known for chart-topping hits like “Pretty Little Baby” and “Who’s Sorry Now?”—the latter later echoing her tumultuous personal life—has passed away at the age of 87.
Her death was confirmed on Thursday by her longtime friend and publicist, Ron Roberts, though no further details were immediately shared. Earlier this month, Francis revealed she had been hospitalized, citing “extreme pain.”
Recently, Francis experienced a resurgence in popularity when her 1962 hit “Pretty Little Baby” went viral on TikTok, attracting attention from celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner. In response, she joined the platform, sharing her amazement: “I’m flabbergasted and excited about the huge buzz my 1962 recording of ‘Pretty Little Baby’ is making all over the world,” she said in a video. “To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations of audiences is truly overwhelming for me.”
A leading figure in the pre-Beatles music era, Francis was a constant presence on the charts between 1957 and 1964. Her appeal spanned generations, with more than a dozen Top 20 singles to her name, including No. 1 hits like “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” and “The Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.” She also transitioned to film, starring in popular movies such as Where the Boys Are and Follow the Boys.
Francis began her music career at just 17 after signing with MGM Records, following several appearances on television variety shows. Though her early songs received little attention, her breakthrough came with a modern rendition of the classic ballad “Who’s Sorry Now?”, originally penned by Ted Snyder, Bert Kalmar, and Harry Ruby.
