Connie Francis has died aged 87, it has been reported.<\/p>\n
The legendary pop and country singer\u2019s death was confirmed by her friend Ron Roberts on Thursday, just weeks after Connie was admitted to hospital in Florida.<\/p>\n
In a statement shared on Facebook, Ron penned: \u2018It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that i inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night.<\/p>\n
\u2018I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news. More details will follow later.\u2019<\/p>\n
Her sad passing comes shortly after her 1962 song Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok, putting her back in the charts for the first time in over 60 years.<\/p>\n
As news of her death circulated, tributes came flooding in from fans on X (formerly Twitter) as they expressed their sadness at her loss.<\/p>\n
In a statement shared on Facebook , Ron penned: \u2018It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that i inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night<\/p>\n
Fans penned: \u2018So sad to hear about the great Connie Francis. Paying musical tribute during the Heritage Chart Breakfast show\u2026so many great songs\u2026Lipstick on Your Collar, Where The Boys Are, Stupid Cupid, V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N, Whose Sorry Now & many, many more. Terrific career. Great legacy.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018The world has lost a great one last night. RIP to connie francis. you may know her from the recent viral hit \u2018pretty little baby\u2019.. 87 years young. now you\u2019re with bobby once again.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Rip Connie Francis 1937 \u2013 2025. Goodbye to a true icon.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018This one really hurts. The beautiful Connie Francis passed away yesterday at the age of 87. RIP Connie.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018That\u2019s such a same. Listened to so many of her records over the years and my Mum used to sing her songs beautifully. R.I.P Connie Francis!\u2019<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, TMZ reported that Connie had been admitted to a Florida hospital, though the reason for her hospitalization wasn\u2019t known at the time.<\/p>\n
It was said that she was admitted to the intensive care unit after experiencing \u2018extreme pain\u2019. She had reportedly been dealing with orthopedic health issues over the last few years, which doctors had been monitoring regularly.<\/p>\n
At the time, the performer, who was said to have been confined to a wheelchair amid her pain, was forced to cancel an appearance on Cousin Brucie\u2019s Independence Day radio show.<\/p>\n
Addressing her absence on his show, Connie later penned on Cousin Bruce\u2019s Facebook announcement: \u2018I had hoped to take part in Brucie\u2019s show for Independence Day, having had to cancel a previous slot a few weeks ago when receiving treatment on my hip.<\/p>\n
\u2018Sadly, 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. Love, Connie.\u2019<\/p>\n
Shortly afterwards, Connie confirmed she had been moved from intensive care to a \u2018private room\u2019 following a series of tests, with the star going on to thank her fans for their well wishes.<\/p>\n
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero into a large Italian family, the singer was encouraged by her family to perform at an early age.<\/p>\n
She changed her name to Connie Francis on a suggestion during an audition for Arthur Godfrey\u2019s Talent Scouts, appearing on NBC\u2019s Startime Kids as a teenager.<\/p>\n
While she had minor success in her 20s with singles such as The Majesty of Love and You, My Darlin\u2019, You,\u2019 she considered leaving music for a career in medicine.<\/p>\n
At the insistence of her father, she recorded a cover of the 1923 song Who\u2019s Sorry Now in late 1957, which would sell over 1 million copies in 1958.<\/p>\n
She recorded a slew of hit records throughout the 1960s, though her rape in a Jericho, New York hotel lead her into more than a decade of seclusion and refuge.<\/p>\n
She won a landmark $2.5 million judgment that lead to widespread changes in hotel security.<\/p>\n
A decade after her assault, she wrote the autobiography Who\u2019s Sorry Now, which became a New York Times bestseller.<\/p>\n
The singer was also once linked to crooner Bobby Darin. Her 1984 memoir even has two chapters dedicated to the \u2018Mack the Knife\u2019 singer.<\/p>\n
She returned to recording and performing in 1989 and wrote another autobiography \u2013 Among My Souvenirs \u2013 before retiring in 2018.<\/p>\n
Her work was rediscovered earlier this year with millions of fans lip syncing the catchy 1962 song Pretty Little Baby on TikTok, making it a viral hit six decades later.<\/p>\n
She told People in March, \u2018To tell you the truth, I didn\u2019t even remember the song! I had to listen to it to remember.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018To 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,\u2019 she added.<\/p>\n
Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian\u2019s daughter North even got in on the fun, as Francis added, \u2018It\u2019s an honor. To see that they\u2019re paying homage to me is just breathtaking.\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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