Connie Francis dead: Legendary singer dies after short health battle as tributes flood in

Legendary country and pop singer Connie Francis has died at the age of 87, her friend Ron Roberts confirmed."It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," he wrote on Facebook. I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news."

On July 2 she was hospitalised and admitted to the intensive care unit forcing her to pull out of a July 4 Independence Day show. Radio personality, Cousin Brucie said she had been experiencing "extreme pain." She had pelvic pain, which was so bad it required her to use a wheelchair. She herself provided an update on her condition in a Facebook post to fans on July 4. "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," she wrote and thanked them for their prayers.

Devastated fans paid tribute to the star commenting on the announcement of her death. "So sad to hear of Connie's passing. Have been a fan of her and her music since I was very young and have passed that love on to my daughter. May her songs and voice live on forever. Thank for the music Connie. Rest In Peace," one wrote. "So sad to hear this. Connie, Thank you for sharing your wonderful voice and songs with us. Rest in peace," another added.

A third chimed in: "RIP Connie. You were and will always be my Idol. A voice of an Angel. Always a sweet, beautiful & caring penned: "Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with all of us and the world! Rest in Peace beautiful lady."

So very sorry to hear this awful news. Connie's music was the soundtrack of my teenage years, and beyond. She will be sorely missed by her legion of loyal fans worldwide. RIP lovely Connie.

"Oh I am so sad to hear that this beautiful lady has passed. I feel like Ive grown up with her since the early 50's. Now she can serenade all the people in heaven that went before her," a fifth shared.

Meanwhile a sixth commented: "R.I.P. Connie you were the love of my life in music and you will always be! Beginnig of the sixties you recorded a song: it's time to say goodnight, so rest in peace Connie! I'will always love you!"

Connie also enjoyed an acting career but will be predominately remembered for her music success. She sold more than 200 million records worldwide throughout her seven decade career and was the first woman to have 3 No. 1 hits on the chart.

In total she had 53 hit singles including Lipstick on Your Collar and Who's Sorry Now. Her success was such that in 1960, she was recognised as the most successful female artist in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, and the United States.

Last year her 1962 hit Pretty Little Baby enjoyed a resurgance after it became a viral trend on Tik Tok, with users creating over a million videos featuring the song. This unexpected popularity led to the song reaching the top five in the US and UK versions of the Spotify streaming chartsand it has been streamed more than 74.8 million times on the platform.

Connie later admitted she had forgotten she had recorded it. "To tell you the truth, I didn't even remember the song," she told People. "I had to listen to it to remember.To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is touching the hearts of millions of people is truly awesome. It is an amazing feeling."