At 83, Connie Francis Bears Prideful Scars of Troubled Life  | Growing Bolder® (2024)

Last Updated on March 28, 2024

Connie Francis, 83,made her acting debuton Aug. 20, 1960,when filming began on “Where the Boys Are.”Since then, there have beenmanyplot twistsin her life— some good, some heart-breaking.

Franciswas involuntarily committed to mental institutions 17 times from 1982 to 1991 after she says she was misdiagnosed with manic-depressive disorder.Shewas raped in 1974.Her brother was murderedseven years later— reportedlygunned down by themobin front of hisNew Jerseyhome.She has been married and divorced four times.

Nasal surgeries that cost her to lose her voice for seven years. She once said “losing my voice was like a surgeon losing his hands.”

A romance with singerBobby Darin–whom she said was the love of her life–was derailed byFrancis’father.

Except for her brother’s murder,she says she harbors no regrets.

“Although there were some terrible lows, there were exhilarating highs,”sheonce told Growing Bolder.

Francischronicled her bittersweet journey not only in songs but through hermemoir titled,“Among My Souvenirs: The Real Story, Vol. 1,”publishedin2017.

Concetta Rosemarie Franconero, her birth name, was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey. She was an A student who planned to be a doctor.But in an early plot twist, she became a top-charting female vocalist in the 1950s and 1960sand enhanced her popularity byher memorable role in “Where the Boys Are.”The filmputFort Lauderdaleon the mapas the hot spot for spring breaks.

Few legends have had the worldwide success that Francis experienced. She sang fluently in several languages and reportedly recorded more hits than Aretha Franklin andDusty Springfield, both in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In the years that followedher success,Francisencounteredmore than her share of tragedies and challenges. She credits the support of family, friends, and her sense of humorfor seeing her through these battles.

Francisis a survivorwho hasused her story to inspire others and give them courage.Shebecamea national spokesperson for Mental Health Americain 2010so that she couldhelp otherswho have shared tragic experiences in their lives.

“This campaign will address itself to the millions of people in America who are currently suffering from the deleterious effects of depression and trauma of all kinds whether it be the trauma experienced by victims of violent crime, rape, domestic abuse, loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of finances or a job, and significantly in the largely-unattended area of the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experienced by our returning veterans of our two wars,” Francis saidat the time.

Now retired and living in Florida,Francis still has a strong fan base who remember her iconic hits, including“Who’s Sorry Now,”“Stupid Cupid,”and “Where the Boys Are.”She formed her own recording company, Concetta Records, and still makes appearances as well asdines with friends in Boca Raton.

When asked how she would like to be remembered, Francis said, “Not so much for the heights I have reached but for the depths from which I have come.”