Connie Francis, the iconic pop singer and actress best known for her hits like "Who's Sorry Now?" and "Pretty Little Baby," has passed away at the age of 87. Her death, following a short illness, was confirmed by her friend Ron Roberts on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1937, Francis rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, becoming a top-charting female vocalist. She sold an estimated 200 million records worldwide and was recognized in 1960 as the most successful female artist in several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan.

Francis's career spanned several decades, during which she recorded in multiple languages and genres. Besides her success as a singer, she also ventured into acting. In 1984, she released her autobiography, "Who's Sorry Now?", which became a New York Times bestseller.

In recent years, Francis faced health challenges. Earlier in July 2025, she was hospitalized in Florida due to extreme pain and was admitted to the intensive care unit. This hospitalization forced her to cancel a planned appearance at an Independence Day show. She had been using a wheelchair due to a hip injury and was undergoing therapy. Despite these difficulties, she expressed gratitude to her fans for their support.

Remarkably, Francis experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2025 when her 1962 song "Pretty Little Baby" went viral on TikTok, becoming a sleeper hit. She expressed her pleasure that her music was being embraced by a younger audience.

Connie Francis's impact on music and entertainment is undeniable. Her legacy as a talented singer and actress will continue to inspire generations to come.