Barbara Sinatra, the fourth and final wife of iconic singer Frank Sinatra, has died at her home in Rancho Mirage home in California, multiple outlets have confirmed.
She was 90 years old.
A rep for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation told The Desert Sun that Barbara had been in declining health for several months and “she died comfortably surrounded by family and friends at her home.”
This center – which has provided counseling for the victims of severe child abuse cases in the Palm Spring area – was founded in 1986 by Barbara and Frank Sinatra.
It was supported by the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament, which included shows by Sinatra from 1989 until his final performance ever in 1995.
(The singer passed away in 1998.)
Barbara continued to host this event, along with other fundraisers and gatherings, through 2016.
Known as “Lady Blue Eyes” during her time as the artist’s better half, Barbara was married to Frank for nearly 22 years, longer than any of his previous three wives.
They got married in 1976 and did not have any kid together.
“Barbara started raising funds for it in 1985 with Frank’s support,” said Children’s Center Director John Thoresen, adding of the charitable endeavor:
“It opened in 1986 and since that time, over 20,000 children have received beneficial therapy here.
“There are several child advocacy centers like it around the country, [but] this one is probably most recognized.”
Sinatra was born in Missouri as Barbara Blakeley. She began her modeling career at the age of 18 after her family moved to Long Beach, California.
Shortly after this move, Barbara married Robert Oliver – but they divorced, and she then married Zeppo Marx in 1959.
Jamie Kabler, a longtime family friend, tells USA Today that Sinatra’s funeral will be on Tuesday, August 1.
Sinatra is survived by her only child, son Robert Marx, and one granddaughter, Carina Blakeley Marx.
May she rest in peace.
