Legendary American singer Connie Francis, famous for her hits “Pretty Little Baby,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Who’s Sorry Now,” passed away on July 16 at the age of 87. The news was confirmed by her close friend Ron Roberts in a Facebook post.

Roberts wrote, “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.”

Francis had recently been hospitalised due to “extreme pain” and revealed on July 2 that she had cancelled her scheduled Independence Day appearance. In a heartfelt note to fans, she shared that her condition may have been linked to prior hip treatments and that she was undergoing medical tests. Despite briefly feeling better, she was later moved to intensive care.

Her final Facebook post, dated July 4, expressed gratitude to fans for their support: “Today I am feeling much better after a good night… A happy Independence Day to you and your loved ones.”

Francis rose to stardom in the late 1950s with “Who’s Sorry Now,” which became a major hit after airing on American Bandstand, selling over a million copies and reaching No. 1 in the UK. She went on to record a string of chart-toppers including “Lipstick on Your Collar” and “Where the Boys Are.”

She published her first autobiography Who’s Sorry Now? in 1984 and followed up with Among My Souvenirs in 2017. Her 1962 hit Pretty Little Baby recently went viral on Instagram and TikTok, introducing her music to a new generation.