Did Connie Francis have kids? Family details explored in the wake of singer's death at 87 following hospitalization

Connie Francis, the iconic singer of the 1950s and ‘60s, best known for her song Pretty Little Baby, has passed away at the age of 87.

She had been hospitalized in Florida since July 2, 2025, due to “extreme pain,” although the exact cause was not revealed. She earlier told People magazine that a hip injury had temporarily landed her in a wheelchair.

Her death was confirmed by her friend and copyright manager, Ron Roberts, in a social media post. He announced the news of her passing “with a heavy heart and extreme sadness” to her fans and followers.

Francis received renewed attention recently as her 1963 song Pretty Little Baby made headlines on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Her death has sparked public interest in her family life. She shared a son named Joseph Garzilli Jr. with her third husband, Joseph Garzilli. The couple adopted him in 1974, per People magazine.

Here are more details on her family.

Was Connie Francis married? What do we know about her family?

Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, Connie Francis began her career in 1943. Who’s Sorry Now, Stupid Cupid, Where the Boys Are, and Lipstick on Your Collar are some of the major hits of her career.

Francis was not married at the time of her death but had been in several relationships, including four marriages.

She had a relationship with singer Bobby Darin in 1956, but she admitted that her father kept them apart. She later described him as the love of her life. Darin died in 1973 at the age of 37. They reportedly worked on many projects together, eventually fell for one another, and made plans to elope. When her father found out, he chased Darin at gunpoint, and their relationship ended soon after.

Throughout her life, Connie Francis was married four times. Her first marriage was with Dick Kanellis. The two tied the knot in August 1964. However, it was short-lived, and the couple eventually divorced in November 1964. He was a press agent and entertainment director, as per Mabumbe.

Francis then decided to tie the knot for the second time with Izzy Marion, an owner of a hair salon, in January 1971. However, the couple divorced 10 months later, in November 1971.

Connie Francis later married for the third time in September 1973 to Joseph Garzilli. He was a restaurateur and travel agency owner. The couple never had biological children, but they adopted a son a year later and named him Joseph Garzilli Jr. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in October 1978.

Her last marriage was with Bob Parkinson, a television producer. The couple married on June 27, 1985, but later divorced after nine months of marriage, on March 31, 1986.

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Connie Francis, known for her soothing voice and distinctive and influence in pop music, suffered numerous heartbreaks and losses in her tragic life. She was reportedly raped in 1974 in a motel room. Her brother George was murdered in 1981. She also lost her voice for several years after undergoing nasal surgery during the 1970s.

Despite her struggles, themes of love and resilience remained central in her music.

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