Connie Francis, First Female Artist To Top Billboard Hot 100, Passes Away

Connie Francis, the legendary musician once hailed as the world’s best-selling female artist, has passed away at the age of 87. The iconic singer, whose 1962 hit Pretty Little Baby recently went viral on social media, died at North Broward Hospital in Pompano Beach, Florida, on July 16.

Known for timeless classics such as Stupid Cupid and Who's Sorry Now, Connie's career spanned decades and influenced generations of artists and fans alike.

The news of her passing was confirmed by Ron Roberts, Connie’s longtime friend and copyright manager, in a heartfelt Facebook post:

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

According to Roberts, Connie had been facing health challenges in recent months. She was hospitalised in late June due to ongoing pain in her hip, which had recently required her to use a wheelchair. Doctors later diagnosed a pelvic fracture, forcing her to cancel a scheduled appearance on a show with Cousin Brucie.

By early July, she had been moved from the ICU to a private room. After a restful night, she even managed to wish her fans a happy Fourth of July. However, she was later readmitted to the ICU, where further testing revealed she had developed pneumonia. Sadly, she succumbed to the illness on July 16.

Her Early Years & Rise to Stardom

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Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, Francis began singing at an early age. With her father's encouragement, she started playing the accordion by the age of three. As a teenager, she changed her name to Connie Francis and began making regular appearances on the US TV variety show Startime Kids.

However, her journey toward stardom was far from easy. She was turned down by nearly every record label. MGM Records offered her a contract solely because her demo song, Freddy, shared a name with the president’s son. When her initial recordings failed to find connoisseurs, Connie briefly considered transitioning to a career in medicine.

Her breakout hit came with a cover of the 1923 song Who's Sorry Now?, her final contracted song for MGM. The track received rave reviews from audiences, and over the next few years, Francis became a true pop icon.

In 1960, she became the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with Everybody's Somebody's Fool. She went on to dominate the charts with hits like Lipstick on Your Collar and Where the Boys Are.

In 1963, as a tribute to the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy, she recorded the poignant song In the Summer of His Years.

When Francis Was Assaulted at Knifepoint

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In 1974, Francis mounted a comeback at the Westbury Music Fair in New York. However, following her performance, she was beaten and assaulted at knifepoint in her motel room. She later won $1.5 million in a lawsuit against the Howard Johnson motel chain for failing to provide secure locks on the glass door through which her attacker had entered.

Traumatised by the incident, Francis faced years of psychological struggles, including several stays in psychiatric hospitals. At her lowest point, she attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills but was saved by her adopted son, Joey.

Connie Francis leaves behind a legacy of music, resilience, and a voice that touched millions. She remained a symbol of strength and perseverance, and even after her demise, her music lives on.