Singer Connie Francis has died aged 87, weeks after her song 'Pretty Little Baby' amassed a new wave of popularity on TikTok.
The legendary country and pop singer's death was confirmed by her friend and copyright manager Ron Roberts.
He wrote 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.
"I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news."
Francis had canceled an appearance on Cousin Brucie's Independence Day radio show after she was hospitalized and moved to intensive care after experiencing "extreme pain".
She wrote on her Facebook page on July 2: "As many of you may now have learned through Cousin Brucie’s Facebook page, I am back in hospital where I have been undergoing tests and checks to determine the cause(s) of the extreme pain I have been experiencing.
"I had hoped to take part in Brucie’s show for Independence Day, having had to cancel a previous slot a few weeks ago when receiving treatment on my hip. Sadly, I had to let him know that I again had to withdraw.
"My thanks for your many get well soon messages. I will endeavor to keep you updated."
She later updated her fans to say that she'd been transferred from intensive care to a "private room" after undergoing a series of tests.
On July 4, she told her followers she was feeling "much better" as she shared her holiday wishes.
The singer, who was one of the biggest stars of the 1950s and 60s was best known for songs including 'Stupid Cupid' and 'Who's Sorry Now'.
Her 1962 track 'Pretty Little Baby' had been less well-known until it received renewed attention over recent months after going viral on TikTok.
The track had been used for over 15 million videos on the platform, with stars including the Kardashians lip-syncing to the track.
Within a single week in May, the song was streamed over 14 million times.
Francis had said she was "thrilled and overwhelmed" at the success of 'Pretty Little Baby', which hadn't been as big upon its release when she was just 23 years old.
She explained: "I recorded that song 63 years ago and to know that an entire new generation now knows who I am and my music is thrilling for me.
"Thank you so much everybody, thank you TikTok."
As well as releasing a string of hits such as 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool' and 'Where The Boys Are', she also starred in a number of films including When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965), and Looking For Love (1964).
She reflected on her meteoric rise to fame in an interview with The Riff in 2024, explaining: "In December of 1957, I was typing and taking shorthand and doing filing in my Aunt Louisa’s insurance firm and in 1960 I was voted the world’s Number One Female Vocalist."
Our thoughts remain with Francis's loved ones, friends, and fans at this heartbreaking time.