Rabat — Legendary singer, Connie Francis, one of the defining voices of 1950s and 60s American pop music, has died at the age of 87. Her death was confirmed today by longtime friend and record label president Ron Roberts. 

The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, but it comes just weeks after she was hospitalized in Florida for severe pain.

Born Concetta Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, Connie Francis grew up in a large Italian-American family where music was always present. Encouraged by her father, she began performing at a young age, singing and playing accordion at talent shows and on local television. 

She adopted the stage name “Connie Francis” during her teenage years and gradually built a career in music through a series of minor recordings.

Following her father’s insistence, her breakthrough came in 1957 when she recorded a cover of the 1923 standard “Who’s Sorry Now?” 

Even though she doubted it would appeal to younger audiences, the song gained traction after it was featured on “American Bandstand” in early 1958. It went on to sell over one million copies, transforming her into one of the most recognizable voices of the late 1950s.

Francis was a versatile artist. She recorded in multiple languages and genres, from Italian classics to country, and even appeared in several teen films at the peak of her career. 

Following the success of “Who’s Sorry Now?”, she released a series of chart-topping hits, including “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own,” and the famous “Where the Boys Are,” which also became the title track of a popular film in which she starred. 

In 1960, she made history by becoming the first solo female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with her song “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.” This achievement consolidated her legacy as one of the most successful female performers of her generation.

Aside from fame and success, her life was also marked by personal tragedies. In the 1970s and 80s, she survived a violent assault, a series of hospitalizations for PTSD, and the murder of her brother.

Despite these setbacks, she became an advocate for mental health, later partnering with national organizations to raise awareness around trauma recovery.

Her music found new life earlier this year when her 1962 song “Pretty Little Baby” unexpectedly went viral on TikTok, introducing her to a new generation of fans and briefly getting her back in the charts six decades later.

“To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is touching the hearts of millions is truly awesome,” she told People magazine in an exclusive interview.

Connie Francis retired from performing in 2018 but remained active online, often connecting with fans. In recent messages, she had expressed gratitude for their support during her health challenges.