Frankie Valli’s 6 Children: Tragedy, Distance and the Love That Still Holds Them Together
Valli’s had a difficult time when it comes to his children, but he’s still been the best father possible
Famed musician Frankie Valli can do it all: he was the lead singer of the Four Seasons, he’s starred in iconic movies and he’s also a loving father to six children. The New Jersey native, who was married a total of four times, has welcomed children with three of his four wives.
Throughout his life, Valli has experienced extreme hardships when it comes to his children, including losing two of them and having to distance himself from another. Meet the children of Frankie Valli and learn about his relationships with each of them.
Celia Sabin Valli
The eldest daughter of Frankie Valli was actually his stepdaughter, Celia, who was born to his first wife, Mary Mandel, and her ex-husband in 1954. When Valli and Mandel tied the knot in 1957, he became her stepfather.
Although Valli and Mandel’s marriage didn’t last, ending in divorce in 1971, he remained a father figure in his daughter’s life. Sadly, Celia was killed in an accident in 1980 after falling from a fire escape.
“Of course, losing a kid was a very, very tough experience,” Valli said in an interview. “It’s not something you ever get over. It’s just not supposed to be that way.”
Antonia Valli
Valli’s first biological child was his daughter Antonia “Toni,” born to him and Mandel. When Toni was 15, she met her future husband and her father’s bandmate, Gerry Polci. The two married in 1987, after her father finally came around to the idea, and they welcomed two children together: Olivia in 1993 and Dario in 1994.
Francine Valli
Valli and Mandel had a second child together, Francine Valli, who was born in 1960. Like her father, Francine was talented musically and had plans to pursue a music career. However, on August 16, 1980, Francine died of an accidental overdose at age 20, only six months after her older sister died. Her death was included in a scene of the Broadway show Jersey Boys, which Valli said was hard to watch.
“The first time I saw that, it was incredibly difficult, and for many times after that,” Valli shared. “That lives with you forever. She died a long time ago, but I often imagine what it would be like if she were alive. She had a wonderful voice.”
Francesco Valli Jr.
During his third marriage, this time to Randy Clohessy, the couple welcomed their first child, son Francesco Valli Jr., in 1988. He followed a path similar to his father’s and took up acting, appearing in Full House (1995) and The House Bunny (2008).
However, things haven’t been great for Francesco and his father in recent years, as Valli and his other son, Emilio, have had to file a three-year order of protection against Francesco due to his alleged addiction and threats to harm them both. The order was filed in April 2024.
Emilio and Brando Valli
Valli and Clohessy had two more sons before they divorced in 2004, twin sons Emilio and Brando Valli, born in 1995. Both often spent time with their father on the road in their earlier life, which may have inspired them to pursue music themselves.
In his later life, Brando released singles on streaming platforms, while Emilio attended the Los Angeles Film School. Today, Emilio is a realtor in Malibu, California.
Original Four Seasons band member Bob Gaudio commented on Valli’s relationship with his children, saying, “He’s a great father. He loves kids and gets right into their world with them. It’s fun to watch.”
Valli, too, briefly spoke about being a father, explaining, “It’s unconditional love with your kids.”
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