American pop music lost a shining star on July 17, 2025, when Connie Francis passed away at the age of 87.
Fans around the world woke up to the sad news via her close friend and manager, Ron Roberts, who shared it on Facebook. In her final weeks, Connie was hospitalized in Florida after suffering from extreme pain—possibly due to a broken hip.
Although she fought hard, her body couldn’t keep up. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned over six decades.
Who Is Connie Francis?
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, Connie showed musical promise as a little girl.
Encouraged by her dad, she sang in talent shows by age 4 and even appeared on TV’s Startime Kids. But life had its share of hardships: her father could be controlling, and school life wasn’t always easy for her.
Yet, her breakthrough came in 1957 when she signed with MGM Records. A turning point arrived in 1958 with her cover of the ballad “Who’s Sorry Now?”
After a performance on American Bandstand, the single soared to No. 4 in the U.S. and topped the charts in the UK. From there, Connie’s star only kept rising.
Connie Francis Hits: A Golden Playlist
Connie’s voice was like a warm whisper and a strong declaration all at once. Her unique style—sometimes tearfully emotional—earned her tons of hits. Here's a peek at her most famous songs:
“Who’s Sorry Now?” – The spark that lit her career.
“Stupid Cupid” – A fun, rock‑and‑roll tune penned by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield.
“Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool”, “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own”, and “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” – All three went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—an incredible feat, especially for a female artist in her day.
“Where the Boys Are” – Her theme perhaps most tied to her film career.
“Pretty Little Baby” – A sleeper hit from 1962 that inexplicably found its way back into hearts in 2025, thanks to TikTok and Instagram reels.
Over her career, Connie released more than 50 hit singles, sold over 100 million (some say 200 million) records, and became one of the most powerful female voices before the Beatles-era revolution. She was truly a powerhouse of her time.
How Did Connie Francis Die?
As Connie herself and her team indicated, she struggled with health issues in her final days. In early July, she posted on Facebook about being hospitalized due to pelvic pain and hip fracture.
In mid‑July, Ron Roberts confirmed that she died the night of July 16, 2025, likely from complications related to those injuries. At 87, her body finally gave in—but she left behind a legacy that won’t fade anytime soon.
Connie Francis Net Worth 2025: Fortune in Music and More
By the time she left us, Connie Francis had amassed an estimated net worth of around £18.6 million (approx. $25 million USD), thanks to a lifetime of recording, performing, and savvy royalties from her hits.
Her early work with MGM, successful recordings in multiple languages (German, Italian, Spanish), and that viral resurgence with "Pretty Little Baby" all added to her financial success.
Plus, she reportedly received a multi-million-dollar settlement in the wake of personal trauma in the 1970s—which sadly also played a part in funding her later life.
Connie Francis Spouse and Son
Connie’s personal life was as dramatic as some of her ballads. She was married four times, though none of them lasted long:
Dick Kanellis (1964) – A whirlwind five-month marriage ended in heartache.
Izzy Marion (1971) – These ten months didn’t last either.
Joseph Garzilli (1973–1977) – During this marriage, she adopted their son, Joseph “Joey” Garzilli Jr., in 1974—a highlight in her life.
Bob Parkinson (1985) – Another marriage that dissolved within the year.
Later, from 2003 until his passing in 2022, she dated Tony Ferretti, a longtime friend and partner.
Connie often said that every record she picked received more care than any husband she chose—an honest insight into her search for happiness.
Connie didn’t have any biological children, but Joey remained her pride and joy all her life.
Early Triumphs and Dark Shadows
Behind the glamorous facade of fame, Connie Francis faced serious struggles:
1974 Trauma: While touring, she was raped—a traumatic event that triggered depression, PTSD, and a long recovery.
Mental Health: The aftermath led to psychiatric hospitalizations, suicide attempts in the 1980s, and a bipolar disorder diagnosis.
Family Tragedy: Her older brother was murdered by gangsters in the 1980s, adding to her already heavy heart.
Despite all that, Connie always found her way back—writing two memoirs, becoming an advocate for crime victims and those battling mental‑health issues, and returning to the stage over and over again.
Revival & Resurgence: From Past to TikTok
Just when it seemed her spotlight had faded, Connie got one last standing ovation—in digital form. In early 2025, her 1962 track "Pretty Little Baby" went viral on TikTok and Instagram.
At one point, the song had been used in 17 million videos and streamed billions of times, earning a second life for a singer long thought of as old-school.
Connie herself was surprised and happy, saying, “To know that an entire new generation now knows who I am… is truly awesome.”
It felt like her career had come full circle—beginning in old-school TV shows and ending in the zeitgeist of social media.
Legacy That Echoes
Today, Connie Francis is remembered as a trailblazer with many firsts:
First woman to top the Billboard Hot 100.
One of the top‑selling female vocalists before the British Invasion.
Sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Sang in multiple languages and helped break gender barriers in the music industry.
Candid memoirs and advocacy for mental health and trauma survivors gave her a voice beyond the mic.
Her life was a mix of laughter and tears, love and loss—but throughout it all, that unmistakable voice remained.
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