Born Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingoglia, the celebrity grew up in a lively Italian household. With a heritage she believes includes Iroquois roots, she adopted her father’s stage name and pursued singing before landing extra roles in films.

Her breakthrough came when Jerry Lewis cast her in “Rock-a-Bye Baby” (1958), propelling her to stardom with roles in “77 Sunset Strip” and “Hawaiian Eye.”

The Hollywood star resisted the pressures of showbiz, “The business process here is very tricky… You have to go to the right parties, play the game. Which I refused to do.”

Seeking love once more, she wed singer Eddie Fisher in 1967, becoming the third of his five wives. However, their union was short-lived due to Fisher’s struggles with substance abuse and infidelity, leading to their divorce in 1969.

After her second marriage ended, the “Susan Slade” star embraced life as a single mother. She and her kids’ unconventional lifestyle brought them closer together.

Throughout the siblings’ childhood, their parent was a steadfast source of love and guidance. “She has reiterated to me over the years what an incredible human being I am and how proud she is of me and what a great mother I am,” Joely further divulged. “She is an affectionate, generous, incandescent spirit of a woman.”

Yet even the closest families face moments of heartache. Sadly, the family experienced a devastating loss in 1996 when her mother’s older brother, Charles Thomas Ingolia, died of a heart attack in Las Vegas at 63.

Two years after his death, challenges continued to arise for his sibling. In 1998, actress-singer Connie Stevens faced another significant hurdle when a Los Angeles Superior Court jury ruled that she owed her former manager, Norton Styne, $4.3 million.

Connie maintained that she created the concept with a friend and that Styne’s role was limited to arranging meetings with HSN executives. Though she admitted to sending him checks, she described them as “part business and part gifts.”

Meanwhile, Connie’s attorney, Steve Schiffres, anticipated an appeal, maintaining there was no arrangement or contract. He characterized his client as disappointed and stunned by the decision.

Despite these obstacles, her determination remained unshaken. In 2012, the film she conceived, co-wrote, produced, and directed — “Saving Grace B. Jones” — debuted in select cities.

Yet even with her remarkable accomplishments, life presented another devastating setback. In 2016, she suffered a massive stroke and later recalled the ordeal, “I was in the hospital about 16 days, and I couldn’t walk, couldn’t move my whole left side.”

Connie’s strength and resilience continue to shine through. In May 2023, Joely shared heartfelt family photos of herself, her mother, and her sister. The trio happily posed together, with the veteran actress beaming between her daughters. Her child captioned the post, “Scenes from a day that included mothers.”

Connie Stevens’ enduring charm and talent continue to captivate fans across generations, as their heartfelt words reflect the lasting impact she’s made. Through triumphs and challenges, she remains an icon of grace, resilience, and timeless beauty.