Legendary pop singer and balladeer Connie Francis, born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, passed away on July 16, 2025 at her residence in Florida at the age of 87.
The news was confirmed by her manager, Ron Roberts, via Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night”.
Connie Francis: Her successes marked an era
Francis dominated the charts in the 1950s and 1960s with a distinctive voice known for its dramatic and emotive tone.
She was the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” (1960) and racked up 15 top 10 singles.
Her classics include “Who’s Sorry Now?”, “Stupid Cupid”, “Lipstick on Your Collar”, “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” and “Pretty Little Baby”.
With more than 200 million records sold, she was also a pioneer in recording in several languages -German, Italian, Yiddish and Spanish- consolidating her global impact.
Surprising and viral resurgence in 2025
In 2025, “Pretty Little Baby” – a 1962 B-side – experienced a viral revival on TikTok, with tens of millions of plays and once again positioned Connie in Spotify’s top 50.
She herself commented in a video: “I’m amazed… that a song from 1962 moves new generations is incredible”.
In early July 2025, Francis was admitted to intensive care after suffering “extreme pain” in her hip, stemming from a fractured pelvis that kept her in a wheelchair.
She spent several days hospitalized in Florida. According to Ron Roberts, although she was weakened by pain and hospitalization, she “remained optimistic” until the end. .
A track record of resilience
His life was full of ups and downs: from being a victim of sexual assault in 1974, revealed in his autobiography Who’s Sorry Now? (1984), to his struggle with bipolar disorder and lithium toxicity.
After recovering, he signed with Sony in 1993 and continued to record and perform sporadically, until his retirement in 2018.
Connie Francis revolucionó la música de forma intempestiva y a la fecha sus canciones forman parte importante de la cultura pop
Connie Francis’ legacy to Hispanics
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For Hispanics in the United States – in California, Texas and Florida – his death represents the farewell of a historical figure who crossed cultural barriers.
Their performances in Spanish, their media tenure, and recent viral revival prove that good music is truly timeless.
His voice still connects with memories of youth, family gatherings and radio broadcasts, leaving a mark that will live on.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
