Early in the series, Francine is often seen as the voice of reason in her dysfunctional family, adopting the stereotypical role of the long-suffering wife or doting mother.

However, as the show progresses, her backstory develops with allusions to unconventional and surreal activities, including working for strip clubs, underground fighting rings, cult memberships, multiple murders, and substance abuse.

Daddy issues stemming from her unstable relationship with her birth father led to her losing her virginity at a young age and engaging in risky sexual behaviors, such as her affinity for combining drugs and alcohol with unprotected sex with strangers as seen in season one's "Finances with Wolves" and Season 15 "Stan & Francine & Connie & Ted".

During the course of the show, not much is known about Francine's younger years beyond the fact that she was brought up in a Roman Catholic orphanage where she was taught that left-handed people were the Devil's minions in "Office Spaceman".

[2] Francine casually recalls a sexual encounter with a group of popular girls in the school showers to Stan in "1600 Candles".

In the late 80s she was a prolific groupie, sleeping with Adam Ant and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and Dexys Midnight Runners among others.

Francine quickly sized Stan up as a boring, yet capable financial provider, able to offer a stable and protected life.

She is offered additional investment by an Earth Wind and Fire cover band singer, and agrees to discuss it with him during a meal.

While she drinks wine, and occasionally smokes cigarettes, Francine is an aficionado of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and Ambien, to the point where she steals $50 each week from the family budget to support her habit.

She was also able to make a weapon out of a government-issued rubber shoe Roger had to wear as part of his stint as a prison therapist.

While initially portrayed as a devoted housewife and unconditionally loving mother who tries to have her family bond with one another, Francine's morality slowly deteriorates in later seasons.

There are times in the show when Francine has demonstrated that she might be mentally unstable, including her vendetta against George Clooney and her extreme empty nest syndrome.

In "Max Jets" she is visibly excited by the idea of Charles Manson being released from jail and "finishing what he started".

She also becomes violent and angry seemingly at random, one point sweeping Klaus' bowl onto the floor screaming 'Humans are talking!'