Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Jul 17: Connie Francis, the iconic voice behind timeless hits like “Stupid Cupid”, “Lipstick on Your Collar”, and “Where the Boys Are”, has passed away at the age of 87. The beloved singer died on July 16, just two weeks after being hospitalised for severe pain, her close friend Ron Roberts confirmed in a heartfelt statement 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,” Roberts wrote. “I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news. More details will follow later.”

Earlier this month, Francis had shared with fans that she had been admitted to the hospital on July 2 due to “extreme pain,” leading to her withdrawal from a scheduled Independence Day appearance. She revealed that her condition might be connected to previous treatment on her hip.

“Sadly, I had to let [radio host Cousin Brucie] know that I again had to withdraw. My thanks for your many get well soon messages,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

Despite her health struggles, Connie’s final message to fans on July 4 was filled with warmth and gratitude:

“Today I am feeling much better after a good night, and wanted to take this opportunity of wishing you all a happy Fourth of July.”

Francis had recently found a new generation of admirers after her 1962 track “Pretty Little Baby” went viral on TikTok and Instagram — a testament to the enduring charm of her music.

Rising to fame in the 1950s, Connie Francis became one of the first female pop stars in America to achieve global success. Her breakthrough came with her 1958 hit “Who’s Sorry Now,” which soared to international fame after being featured on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, selling over a million copies and topping the UK charts.

Over the years, she became a household name with hits such as:

• “Stupid Cupid”
• “Lipstick on Your Collar”
• “Where the Boys Are”
• “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own”
• “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool”

Beyond music, Francis also penned two memoirs — “Who’s Sorry Now?” (1984) and “Among My Souvenirs” (2017) — offering candid insights into her life and career. She gradually stepped back from the spotlight in 2018.

Fans and fellow artists around the world are mourning the loss of a true pioneer — a woman whose voice defined an era and whose music continues to resonate across generations.