Joseph Garzilli Jr: Facts About Connie Francis' Son - Dicy Trends (2024)

Joseph Garzilli Jr is the son of Connie Francis. His mother Connie is an American pop singer, actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. She was referred to as the “First Lady of Rock & Roll” in one headline of a marginal publication. She is estimated to have sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Joseph Garzilli Jr: Bio Summary

Biography

Joseph Garzilli Jr was born in 1974. He is 48 years old as of 2022. He was adopted by Connie Francis, a singer, musician, and actress, and her then-husband Joseph Garzilli, a restaurateur and travel agency owner. His adoptive father Joseph is also a writer known for his work in Opposite Corners (1997).

Joseph Garzilli Jr’s adoptive parents Connie Francis and Joseph Garzilli have been divorced. Their marriage was Connie’s only marriage that lasted for a long time. They were married in 1973. 5 years later, the two decided to get divorced in 1978. They didn’t have any children of their own but they adopted Joseph Jr as their son.

There is still no information about where exactly Joseph Garzilli Jr is from and who his biological parents are. He was five-month-old when he was adopted. His mother Connie says, “He’s been the true love of my life.” There is no information about Joseph Jr’s high school or college name. His educational details have been hidden from the public.

His mother was raped which led to his parent’s divorce

Joseph Garzilli Jr’s mother Connie Francis was raped at the Jericho Turnpike Howard Johnson’s Lodge in Jericho, New York. The incident happened while she appeared at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, on November 8, 1974. She was reportedly terrorized for close to three hours at knife-point, raped, and robbed.

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The incident affected Connie Francis and she suffered a nervous breakdown, which also affected her marriage at that time and nearly ended her career. She was depressed and was taking as many as 50 Darvon pills a day and rarely leaving her home in Essex Fells, New Jersey. This led to a divorce from her husband, Joseph Garzilli.

Connie Francis became paranoid about appearing in public and was physically incapable of singing before an audience. She eventually sued the motel chain for its poor security. She was reportedly awarded a $2.5 million judgment, at the time one of the largest such judgments in history, leading to a reform in hotel security.

However, her rapist was never found. She underwent nasal surgery and completely lost her voice, in 1977. She was operated on to regain her singing voice and was unable to sing for four years.

His mother lost his brother and attempted suicide

The famous mother of Joseph Garzilli Jr, Connie Francis suffered another tragedy as she lost her beloved brother George Franconero, Jr, whom she shares a great bond with. The siblings were very close and loved each other. George Franconero, Jr was murdered by Mafia hitmen.

George was killed in front of his home in North Caldwell, New Jersey on March 6, 1981. He was a disbarred lawyer and at the time of his death, he was cooperating with federal authorities against organized crime figures. After George died, his sister Connie Francis was diagnosed with manic depression.

Connie Francis’ career was on halt. She was committed to multiple psychiatric hospitals. She even attempted suicide in 1984. She later managed to write and publish her autobiography, Who’s Sorry Now?, which became a New York Times bestseller. She returned to recording and performing in 1989.

Where is Joseph Garzilli Jr now?

Joseph Garzilli Jr has remained a very private person. He has lived a quiet life and doesn’t reveal much about himself. He is not seen or heard from frequently so it is difficult to tell where he is now. His career details and relationship status are also unknown at the moment. He has stayed away from controversies and gossip as well.

Meanwhile, in 1960, Joseph Jr’s mother Connie Francis was recognized as the most successful female artist in Germany, Japan, England, Italy, Australia, and every other country where records were purchased. She was the first woman in history to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, just one of her other 53 career hits.