Connie Francis, iconic singer of hits from the 1960s, passed away at the age of 87. Her death was confirmed by Ron Roberts, a close friend and president of her music label. Earlier this month, Francis had been hospitalized due to severe pain but had reassured fans of her improving health. Throughout her career, she topped the charts and garnered a loyal gay following. Despite facing multiple personal tragedies, including her brother’s murder and experiences with mental health issues, she returned to perform in later years.
"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 in a post shared on Francis's official Facebook page.
Francis, who became the first woman to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool' back in 1960, fostered a large gay following at the peak of her career.
In an old interview with Baltimore queer venue The Hippo, unearthed in 2024, Francis spoke about judging a Connie Francis drag lookalike contest.
A slew of personal tragedies, including experiencing sexual assault, depression and the murder of her brother George Franconero Jr, saw her step back from the limelight in the '70s and '80s.
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