Legendary pop singer Connie Francis, whose voice defined an era with heartbreak ballads and upbeat rock-n-roll hits, has died at the age of 87. Her publicist and longtime friend, Ron Roberts, confirmed the news on Facebook on Thursday, writing:“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.”Though the cause of her death has not yet been made public, Francis had been hospitalized just two weeks earlier for what she described as “extreme pain” due to a pelvic fracture. The beloved singer had kept fans updated about her health condition through heartfelt posts on social media.Health Struggles in Her Final DaysOn July 2, Francis shared that she had been hospitalized in Florida, undergoing tests to identify the cause of her pain. Her updates were filled with optimism, despite having been moved to the intensive care unit and missing a scheduled appearance on Cousin Brucie’s Independence Day radio show.By July 3 and 4, Francis posted that she was “feeling much better,” and expressed gratitude for her supporters. However, she remained under medical observation, and in a post the following week, she revealed that doctors were still trying to get to the root of her condition.This wasn’t her first health battle. In May, Francis had shared that she had suffered a hip injury that left her temporarily wheelchair-bound. Her openness about her condition made her all the more endearing to longtime fans who had followed her through the highs and lows of both her professional and personal life.A Trailblazing Career That Crossed Borders and GenresBorn Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in 1937, Connie Francis rose to fame in the late 1950s with her breakthrough hit “Who’s Sorry Now,” a song that she famously performed on television after nearly being dropped by her label. The track became a massive hit, charting internationally and setting the stage for a string of chart-topping singles.She followed with hits like “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You,” and the carefree anthem “Vacation.” Her clear, emotional voice resonated with millions and helped her bridge musical genres—from rock ’n’ roll and country to standards and international ballads.Francis sang in more than a dozen languages, including Italian, Yiddish, and Swedish, and found global success at a time when international stardom was rare for American artists. Her versatility and emotional range made her one of the best-selling female pop stars of her generation.A Social Media Resurgence in Recent YearsIn the digital age, Connie Francis found renewed fame among younger audiences thanks to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Her 1965 song “Pretty Little Baby” became a viral favorite, introducing her music to a new generation and reminding the world of her timeless appeal.