(FILES) This file photo taken on October 18, 2008 shows Barbara Sinatra, wife of late entertainer Frank Sinatra, during the National Italian American Foundation’s 33rd Anniversary Awards Gala on October 18, 2008 in Washington, DC.
Barbara Sinatra, a former model, activist and the last wife of Frank Sinatra, died Tuesday, July 25, 2017 in California, staff at her children’s center said. She was 90. AFP
Former model Barbara Sinatra, a humanitarian activist who was Frank Sinatra’s last wife, died Tuesday in California, her foundation said. She was 90.
A family spokesman said Sinatra — born Barbara Blakely — died of natural causes surrounded by family and friends at her home in Rancho Mirage.
She wed Sinatra in Rancho Mirage in July 1976. She was 49 and he was 60.
They were married 22 years, the fourth and longest marriage for the American crooner. He died of a heart attack in 1998.
In 1985, she raised money with her husband’s support, to open the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center for the youngest victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
“Barbara Sinatra was not a woman who just lent her name to a cause or event,” her foundation said.
“Barbara was an avid and tireless fundraiser and child advocate… In her many travels, she served as keynote speaker and appeared before groups and organizations of all sizes on behalf of abused children in England, Australia, Canada, Italy and throughout the United States.”
Trough her efforts, more than 20,000 children have received therapy to cope with abuse-related trauma at the center, it said.
Sinatra was previously married to actor Zeppo Marx, of the Marx Brothers films.
Sinatra is survived by her son Robert Oliver Marx, his wife Hillary Roberts and her granddaughter Carina Blakeley Marx.