TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - From topping the Billboard charts in the 1950s to going viral on TikTok six decades later, Connie Francis proved that a true musical legacy can stand the test of time. On July 17, 2025, the world lost one of the most iconic voices of the '50s and '60s.
Connie Francis passed away at the age of 87, leaving an enduring impact on the history of American popular music.
Connie Francis: A Journey Through Career and Personal Struggles
According to People magazine, the news of her passing was shared by Ron Roberts, a close friend and president of her label, Concetta Records.
He made the announcement in a Facebook post on Thursday morning, July 17, 2025. The message was also reposted on Connie Francis’ official account.
"It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," wrote Roberts. "I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news. More details will follow later," he added.
Just two weeks prior, on July 2, Connie had revealed via Facebook that she was back in the hospital for a series of tests after suffering from severe pain. By July 4, she shared that her condition had started to improve and that she was recovering.
Born in 1937 in Newark, New Jersey, Connie Francis rose to fame at a young age with her breakout song “Who’s Sorry Now?” which gained popularity after being featured on American Bandstand in 1958.
This success was followed by a string of hits, including “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” which made her the first female solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Behind her fame, however, Connie experienced deep personal hardship. She survived a traumatic assault in 1974, lost her brother to murder, and struggled with bipolar disorder. She later recounted these events in her memoir, Who’s Sorry Now?, published in 1984.
A Viral Revival with ‘Pretty Little Baby’
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Connie also found success in film through her debut in Where the Boys Are (1960). The movie’s theme song became one of the defining pieces of her career.
Remarkably, in the final year of her life, Connie Francis was rediscovered by a younger generation. Her 1962 single “Pretty Little Baby” went viral on TikTok in 2025, appearing in numerous nostalgic and emotional videos.
This renewed popularity showed that her music continued to resonate, even decades later.
"It was a struggle to reconcile all of the tragedies that had occurred in my life, and I’d like to be known for my music. I’m always honored and privileged when people remember, and it brings back happy memories for a lot of people, and that makes me happy," Connie once said.
For her, music was not only a personal refuge but also the legacy she hoped to leave behind.
GEOFANNY ELIZABETH
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