91-Year-Old Music Icon Finds Love Again After Heartbreaking Losses
This 91-Year-Old Music Legend Lost Two Daughters, Then Found Love with a Woman Years His Junior – Who Is He
The family was devastated when one daughter passed away tragically and the other soon followed. But in spite of all, this music legend was able to rediscover happiness, a newfound spotlight, and love with a much younger woman.
He buried two daughters within six months. An accident claimed the first’s life. The second, who was still a student, died before she could fulfill her ambition of performing on stage with her well-known father.
Surprisingly, this hero is still standing under stage lights at the age of 91 decades later, accompanied by his wife, who is over 30 years younger than him. Examine his inspirational life story in greater detail.
From Record-Setting Achievement to Tragic Loss
As the lead singer of a band that shaped an age, he had a distinctive sound that made him a renowned performer who repeatedly topped the charts.
His voice helped propel over 35 singles into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Songs like “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” “Sherry,” and the disco-infused hit song “Grease” weren’t simply hits; they were a generation’s soundtrack.
Beyond the music, however, his life was characterized by hardships for which he was unprepared by a stage. One of those difficulties started subtly in the late 1960s when he became aware that something was amiss—his hearing was failing.
Unfortunately, the vocalist of “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” suffered a loss in 1980 that could not be healed by medical knowledge.
The singer was found to have otosclerosis, a disorder that causes the middle ear’s bones to harden. His hearing was severely impaired, and it affected both ears. He worked for ten years without receiving the necessary care.
His career was in danger of collapsing due to a gradual and quiet decline. His encounter with Dr. Victor Goodhill, an ear expert in Los Angeles, was a game-changer.
The surgeon created new stapes bones for each ear using bone grafts from UCLA’s bone bank.
One ear’s hearing increased from about 35 percent to 98 percent following the initial surgery. The second ear was restored to 87 percent a year later. He remembered:
“My life was saved by the surgery performed by Dr. Victor Goodhill. […] For me, that was a moment of truth.
Unfortunately, the vocalist of “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” suffered a loss in 1980 that could not be healed by medical knowledge. Celia, his stepdaughter, lost her life in a car accident that year.
Francine, his biological daughter, then passed away from a heroin overdose only six months later.
Antonia, her sister, said she had been preparing to begin singing with her father. “We were still grieving Celia’s death,” Antonia said, “but Francine was in a good place.”
Now that he is in his 90s, he is starting a new chapter in his life.
The family was devastated by her unexpected death. This wound persisted, and it was later depicted in a heartbreaking scene in the Broadway musical and movie depiction of his life, “Jersey Boys,” where an actor portraying the singer was informed of the awful news while traveling.
He sobbed as he acknowledged, “It was really hard the first time I saw that, and for many times after that.” “That remains in your memory forever.
Even though Mom passed away a long time ago, I frequently wonder what life would be like if she were still here. Her voice was amazing.
Years later, the singer talked about more than just fame and money when he was questioned about the slow times in his career. He also talked about how the loss changed him. He revealed:
“Obviously, losing a child was an extremely difficult experience. You can never, ever move on from it. Simply put, it shouldn’t be that way.
Still Standing: Life at 90, Love, and Legacy
Frankie Valli, the distinctive falsetto behind the Four Seasons, is this renowned vocalist. Generations had listened to his voice through youth, heartache, and recollection. Now that he is in his 90s, he is starting a new chapter in his life.
In a modest Las Vegas ceremony in June 2023, he married 29-year-old Jackie Jacobs, demonstrating that it was possible to start again even after decades of celebrity and significant emotional tragedy.
“It’s terrific to have found love once again at this stage of my life,” said Frankie. Only the two of them attended the private ceremony, which took place at the Westgate Hotel.
But when videos of his most recent performances went viral online in 2024, he became a topic of discussion.
He sang into his new bride’s ear while his 1967 gold-certified hit, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” played softly in the background. It was a lovely, intimate, and distinctly his moment.
Jackie, who was 60 at the time, donned a white wedding dress, delicate silver jewelry, and beautiful curls in her hair.
Beside her, the well-known singer was wearing a navy suit and a white shirt with a collar, accentuated by a plain gold chain. The event’s simplicity highlighted its significance—not theatrics, but sincere connection.
Years have passed since they started their journey together. Frankie initially met Jackie, a former CBS marketing executive who was born in Maryland, in 2007. He joined her group of friends for supper at a restaurant in Los Angeles, where they first met. She remembered:
“Until he called me in late 2015 to ask for a date, we stayed in contact via the phone. Since then, we have remained together.
One netizen wrote, “Love finds a way regardless, even though they are nearly thirty years apart in age.” “She does not look 60,” said another, and “Does it really matter what reason they are together?” said a third.
Although it wasn’t Frankie’s first wedding, it was arguably his most modest. He wed Mary Delgado in 1958; she had a daughter named Celia. Antonia and Francine were the couple’s other two daughters.
From 1974 to 1982, he was married to MaryAnn Hannagan for the second time. He married Randy Clohessy two years later, and the two of them produced three sons:
Francesco, Emilio, and Brando, twins. But after 20 years, that partnership came to an end in 2004.
But despite everything, Frankie stayed committed to music throughout every chapter. He was still touring, performing, and interacting with audiences throughout his tenth decade.
But when videos of his most recent performances went viral online in 2024, he became a topic of discussion.
He seemed to be out of time with the dancing in one of the clips, “December 1963 (Oh What a Night).” In another, he appeared to be lip-syncing as he sang “Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye),” missing the lyrics.
Frankie made a statement explicitly addressing the criticism rather than avoiding it. “I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately so I wanted to clear the air,” he said. “I am fortunate to be 90 years old and still doing what I love.
I will continue to perform as I always have as long as I am able and people want to see me. I genuinely enjoy what I do.
He underlined that layered compositions have always been a key component of the Four Seasons’ distinctive sound. “I sing, I have singers who sing, great arrangements…everything,” he said. “We use our 60 years of experience so we sound like the records.”
What about the public’s concern? “The comments make me laugh as I wonder if I’m being coerced into taking the stage. “I’ve never been forced to do anything I didn’t want to do,” Frankie disclosed.
But in recent years, a surge of long-overdue acclaim has coincided with his persistent presence on stage. For his work with the Four Seasons, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 2024. His wife and twin sons joined him.
This family encounter highlighted the legacy he had established at home as much as in music. Only a few months later, in February 2025, Frankie walked the red carpet at the Grammy Awards, this time as a Lifetime Achievement Award winner rather than a nominee.
The accolade was presented at the Los Angeles Special Merit Awards of the Recording Academy. “I’m really feeling terrific about all of this,” Frankie declared.
He considered the protracted path leading up to that point while standing next to Jackie:
“I waited for a while. I mean, I was there for maybe seven or eight consecutive years. “You’re going to get it this year,” they remarked.
He has received Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Rock & Roll Recording since 1962, as well as awards for “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
In 1979, he received additional recognition for his contributions to the “Grease” soundtrack. However, until today, none of those nominations has resulted in a victory. But the Lifetime Achievement Award was not merely a nod to his history.
His most recent honor was a recognition of the tenacity, creativity, and enthusiasm that had seen him through a grueling tour schedule, public scrutiny, and personal sorrow.
Citing the line from “Jersey Boys,” he remarked, “I’m like that TV rabbit that never stops going. following the tunes. He doesn’t want to say goodbye at ninety-one.
He continued to stand, to sing, to enjoy the moments that love and life still had to offer.
