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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Philanthropist

Barbara Sinatra

Barbara Sinatra was an American model, showgirl, socialite, and philanthropist best known as the fourth and final wife of Frank Sinatra.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Barbara Sinatra was an American model, showgirl, socialite, and philanthropist, best known as the fourth and final wife of Frank Sinatra. She co-founded the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, a nonprofit serving abused and at-risk children.

Who she was

Born Barbara Blakeley in Missouri (sources differ on her birth date: October 16, 1926 or March 10, 1927), she worked as a model and showgirl before becoming a socialite. She was married three times: to Robert Oliver, Zeppo Marx, and Frank Sinatra. Her marriage to Sinatra from 1976 until his death in 1998 brought her wide public recognition.

Why she matters

Barbara Sinatra’s most lasting legacy is the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, founded with Frank Sinatra in 1986 in Rancho Mirage, California. The center provides therapy and support for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and it continues to operate as a nonprofit today.

Key details

She died of natural causes in Rancho Mirage on July 25, 2017, at age 90. Her philanthropy remains the central focus of her public legacy.

In short

  • Barbara Sinatra was Frank Sinatra’s fourth and final wife, married from 1976 to 1998.
  • She co-founded the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, a nonprofit for abused and at-risk children.
  • She died in 2017 at age 90 from natural causes.

Quick questions

Who is Barbara Sinatra?
Barbara Sinatra was an American model, showgirl, socialite, and philanthropist, best known as Frank Sinatra’s fourth and final wife.
What is the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center?
It is a nonprofit co-founded by Barbara and Frank Sinatra in 1986 that provides therapy and support for abused and at-risk children.
How old was Barbara Sinatra when she died?
She was 90 years old when she died in 2017.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Sinatra
    Supports: Biographical details, marriage to Frank Sinatra, founding of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, and death information.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/barbara-sinatra-dead-frank-sinatra-wife-was-90-1024290/
    Supports: Death at age 90, marriage to Frank Sinatra, and charity work.
  3. The Telegraph — https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2017/07/26/barbara-sinatra-fourth-wife-frank-sinatra-obituary/
    Supports: Obituary details, philanthropic role, and status as Frank Sinatra’s fourth wife.
  4. The Desert Sun — https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/entertainment/people/2017/07/27/barbara-sinatra-before-frank-humble-beginning-becoming-lady-blue-eyes/514726001/
    Supports: Early life, charitable work, and connection to the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.
  5. Penguin Random House — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/74821/barbara-sinatra/
    Supports: Philanthropic identity and later-life residence in California.