United States: Legendary pop singer Connie Francis died at 87 on Thursday days after being admitted to a hospital in Florida in early July after suffering from extreme pain due to an illness.

Best known for her viral song “Pretty Little Baby,” Francis’s demise was confirmed by Ron Roberts, Francis’ friend and the president of the musician’s label Concetta Records, on Thursday. The exact cause of death is yet to be known. After being admitted to the hospital, the singer reportedly underwent several tests. She was also recovering from hip treatment.

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Sensational among people during the 60s, Francis emerged as a popular figure in her prime time. She earned the reputation of being the first solo female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100.

The Iconic Career Of Connie Francis

One of the most popular singers of the 1950s and early 1960s, Francis was the contemporary of Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee. Some of her best works include “Who’s Sorry Now?,” “My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own,” “Where the Boys Are” and “Don’t Break The Heart That Loves You.”

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Born and brought up in New Jersey, the singer began taking part in talent contests and pageants at the age of 4. Her father supported her by singing and playing accordion. Soon, Francis started appearing on TV shows and was a featured performer on NBC’s Startime Kids.

In 1955, Francis signed a recording contract with MGM Records. Though she initially struggled with most of her early singles were failures, her final attempt, “Who’s Sorry Now?” in 1957, became hard-hitting in the US and UK, among other countries.

The following works include “My Happiness,” “Lipstick on Your Collar” and “Among My Souvenirs.” Her 1959 album Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites also made her popular, leading to her international acclaim, and kickstarting her spectacular career peak.