Barbara Marx Sinatra, the prominent socialite, philanthropist, and former model who became the fourth and final wife of the legendary singer Frank Sinatra, passed away on July 25th at her home in Rancho Mirage, California. She was 90 years old. Her death was confirmed by John E. Thoresen, the director of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, though the specific cause was not disclosed. Married to Frank Sinatra for nearly 22 years—longer than any of his previous wives—Barbara was widely regarded as a stabilizing presence in the later decades of his life and career.
Early Life and Path to Palm Springs
Born Barbara Blakeley on October 16, 1926, in Bosworth, Missouri, she moved with her family to Wichita, Kansas, at age 10, where her father worked as a butcher. Seeking new opportunities, she relocated to California in the 1940s. After winning a beauty pageant, she embarked on a modeling career and later established her own modeling and charm school in Long Beach.
Her first marriage was to aspiring singer Bob Oliver, with whom she had her only son, Robert. Following their divorce, Robert later adopted the surname Marx, although he was never formally adopted by her second husband. In 1959, Barbara married Zeppo Marx, a former member of the famed Marx Brothers comedy troupe, who was 25 years her senior. The couple settled in the exclusive enclave of Palm Springs, California, a popular destination for show business figures, including Frank Sinatra himself.
Chico, Groucho, Harpo and Zeppo Marx in a publicity still for the 1930 film ‘Animal Crackers’.
Encounters with Frank Sinatra
Barbara’s first memorable encounter with Frank Sinatra occurred in 1957 while she was working at the Riviera casino in Las Vegas. Sinatra, then at the peak of his fame and surrounded by his legendary Rat Pack including Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., called out to her. “I heard someone say, ‘Hey, Blondie! Come over here. Join us!’” she recalled to London’s Telegraph newspaper in 2011. “But I just kept walking… I said, ‘I don’t care, I don’t want to deal with drunks.’ So we left.”
From Left: Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 1, 1960.
Despite living in the same Palm Springs circles, their paths didn’t significantly cross again until the early 1970s. She once organized a doubles tennis match at Sinatra’s request for his ex-wife, actress Ava Gardner. “I think he held a torch for Ava his whole life,” Barbara told the Palm Springs Desert Sun in 2015. By the time Barbara’s divorce from Zeppo Marx was finalized in 1973, she and Frank Sinatra, who had divorced his third wife, Mia Farrow, were already constant companions. Sinatra’s first wife, Nancy Barbato, the mother of his three children, is still living. “I think anyone who met Frank Sinatra would have to have sparks,” Barbara admitted to the Los Angeles Times in 1988. “Because he is a flirt…There’s no way to avoid that flirtation.”
This Aug. 19, 1951 file photo shows singer Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner dining together at Reno’s Riverside Hotel.
Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, following their marriage in Las Vegas on July 19, 1966.
Marriage to ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes
Accompanying Frank on his worldwide concert tours, Barbara became an integral part of his life. She noted his need for company and strong liquor to unwind after performances. “Fortunately, I could match Frank drink for drink and still know what I was doing,” she wrote in her 2011 memoir, “Lady Blue Eyes.” She also revealed his insistence that she quit smoking, despite his own habit, and his tendency to yell – though she often yelled back.
Frank proposed by placing a diamond engagement ring in a glass of champagne. They married in 1976, though she was presented with and signed a prenuptial agreement just an hour before the ceremony. In her memoir, Barbara described her husband as “very romantic” yet obsessed with cleanliness, often showering multiple times a day. Their social life included late nights with friends like John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Glenn Ford, and Orson Welles. If hunger struck, Frank would often cook pasta mixed with eggs and Parmesan cheese for a late-night meal. Over time, Barbara encouraged him to moderate his drinking, especially as he staged a significant musical comeback in the 1980s, returning to the recording studio and continuing to perform live until 1995.
In this Oct. 16, 1975 photo, Frank Sinatra, left, and Bob Hope break up over John Wayne, second from left, and Bing Crosby pretending to sing as the four stars prepared to tape a two-hour Bob Hope special in Los Angeles.
Philanthropy: The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center
Beyond her role as Frank Sinatra’s wife, Barbara carved out her own significant legacy as a philanthropist. An active figure in Palm Springs society, known for her love of golf and tennis, she dedicated herself to helping vulnerable children. In 1986, she founded a center in Rancho Mirage dedicated to providing therapy and support for victims of physical, sexual, and emotional child abuse. Now bearing her name, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center received substantial support from Frank, who raised millions through benefit concerts and golf tournaments.
Later Years and Legacy
Barbara remained by Frank Sinatra’s side until his death at age 82 in 1998. She recounted a poignant phone call from Ava Gardner years into her marriage with Frank. “She said, ‘Hello Barbara, this is Ava,’” Barbara told the Telegraph. “And then she said, ‘Tell me one thing, are you and Frank really happy?’ I said, ‘All I can answer for is me. I’m very happy… why don’t you call and ask if he’s happy?’”
Barbara Marx Sinatra is survived by her son, Robert Marx, and her granddaughter. She navigated the complexities of life alongside one of the 20th century’s biggest icons with grace and strength, ultimately establishing her own enduring legacy through her dedicated charitable work.
Conclusion
Barbara Marx Sinatra will be remembered not only as the devoted final wife of Frank Sinatra, providing stability during his later career resurgence, but also as a formidable individual in her own right. Her commitment to philanthropy, particularly through the establishment of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, created a lasting impact that continues to help countless children. Her life story reflects resilience, elegance, and a dedication that extended far beyond the shadow of her famous husband, cementing her place as a respected figure in Palm Springs society and the world of charitable work.
