Connie Francis Passes Away at 87
Connie Francis, the renowned singer known for hits like “Who’s Sorry Now?” and “Where the Boys Are,” has died at the age of 87. This news was shared by Ron Roberts, the president of Francis’ record label, Concetta Records, through a heartfelt Facebook post.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I share the news of my best friend Connie Francis passing away last night,” he wrote. “Connie wanted her fans to be the first to hear this sad news. More details will follow,” the post concluded.
Earlier this month, Francis revealed she had been hospitalized due to severe pain. She gained fame in the 1950s and was just 20 when she released her breakout hit “Who’s Sorry Now?” in 1958.
“I’m back in the hospital for tests to find the cause of my severe pain,” she posted. “After a series of intensive checks, I’m now in a private room.”
Her last post was on July 4th, just two days after announcing her hospitalization. She expressed feeling better to her fans, but, unfortunately, Roberts shared with a magazine that her death had been anticipated.
“Sadly, we were expecting this… They struggled to pinpoint the source of her pain,” Roberts commented. “Her condition had worsened significantly.”
Roberts added that Francis deteriorated after being released from the hospital and was unconscious for at least two days before her passing.
“She has found peace,” he mentioned.
Francis is celebrated for many classics, including “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own” and “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You.” In a 2018 interview, she discussed the struggles behind one of her well-known songs.
“My dad didn’t want me to record ‘Who’s Sorry Now?’ for a year and a half,” she recounted. “They thought it was outdated. But with just 16 minutes to go, my dad insisted I record it. That song took off, and I’ll never forget that moment.”
Throughout her life, Francis faced numerous personal challenges, including a suicide attempt in 1984 and traumatic incidents in her past. In a 2011 interview, she talked about the mental health issues she battled for years.
“I’ve been committed to mental health facilities multiple times due to misdiagnoses, but eventually, I discovered I was dealing with PTSD from my experiences,” she reflected.
She is survived by her son, Joseph Gargili Jr.
