Connie Francis, 'Pretty Little Baby' singer, passes away

Connie Francis, the iconic American pop singer known for her chart-topping hits in the 1950s and 60s, has died at the age of 87, her record label has confirmed.

The news was announced by Ron Roberts, president of Concetta Records, on social media early Thursday (July 17). His statement was later shared on Francis' official Facebook page.

"It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," Roberts wrote. "I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news."

No cause of death has been disclosed. However, the singer had recently been receiving treatment in intensive care, undergoing tests to determine the source of what she described as “extreme pain.” In a Facebook post on 4 July, Francis said she was “feeling much better.”

Roberts added that further details would be released in due course.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Francis rose to prominence with a string of hit singles including 'Stupid Cupid', 'Who's Sorry Now', and 'Pretty Little Baby'. Her music, marked by emotional depth and vocal clarity, helped define the era's pop sound.

Her 1962 single Pretty Little Baby recently found new popularity on TikTok, introducing her music to a younger audience.

In addition to her musical career, Francis appeared in several films, including 'When the Boys Meet the Girls', 'Follow the Boys', 'Looking for Love', and 'Where the Boys Are', which shared its title with her 1961 hit.