What happened to 'Pretty Little Baby' singer Connie Francis? Details explored as singer dies at 87

Connie Francis, the legendary voice behind “Pretty Little Baby,” has died at 87 after a short but troubled illness. The news, confirmed via Facebook by longtime friend and copyright manager Ron Roberts, came just days after the viral resurgence of her 1962 breakout B‑side. So what happened to singer Connie Francis? Connie was sent to a hospital in Florida in early July after experiencing "extreme pain."  

Before leaving the spotlight, she spent days in critical care and postponed her July 4th performance.  After that, her health deteriorated, and she died on July 16, 2025.  

In addition to selling over 200 million recordings in the 1950s and 1960s, Connie was a cultural icon whose voice attracted new listeners in 2025.  Here, we examine what transpired, her incredible career, and the viral success of "Pretty Little Baby."

How did singer Connie Francis die?

Singer Connie Francis died on July 16, 2025, following a brief but intense decline in health. Close friend Ron Roberts broke the news on 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.” 

Earlier in July, she had been admitted to a Florida hospital suffering from "extreme pain", later linked to pelvic issues and complications after treatment for a hip injury. She spent time in intensive care and missed her planned July 4 performance, though she assured fans she was "feeling much better" just days before falling ill again. Ultimately, despite medical attention, Connie passed away in her private suite. While no official cause has been released, those close to her describe the death as following "a short illness".

Connie Francis’ life, career and the TikTok revival of “Pretty Little Baby”

Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, later known as Connie Francis, was born in Newark, New Jersey, on December 12, 1937.  She was one of the top female pop artists in America by the late 1950s and early 1960s.  With "Everybody's Somebody's Fool," she became the first female solo artist to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. Hits like "Where the Boys Are," "Stupid Cupid," "Who's Sorry Now?," and "Lipstick on Your Collar" maintained her position at the top after that.

Her 1962 B-side song "Pretty Little Baby" was forgotten for decades until TikTok revived it in the spring of 2025. A whole new generation fell in love with the song she recorded when she was 24 because, guess what, it was suddenly playing on everyone's feed. Spotify streams soared past 74 million, and it charted internationally; she even quipped, “I had to listen to it to remember” when asked about the sudden fame. Lip-sync videos were becoming popular on social media, even among celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian, and yes, even kindergarteners.

A 1974 assault, voice surgery, PTSD, and her brother's terrible 1981 murder were just a few of the challenges Connie had to deal with off-stage. She became an outspoken supporter of victims' rights and mental health, sharing her tale in books.  Even though she ended her career in 2018, she still had a lot of energy left, as seen by her scheduled 2025 visit with radio icon Cousin Brucie.