ViraScoop
Barbara Sinatra has passed away at the age of 90.
She died nearly 20 years after her husband at her home in Rancho Mirage, California.
Director John Thoresen of the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation told the Desert Sun magazine that “she died comfortably surrounded by family and friends at her home.” Barbara’s health had been declining for the past few months.
Barbara was Frank Sinatra were happily married for almost 22 years until Frank’s death in 1998. Barbara was Frank’s fourth and final marriage and his longest.
Frank had left her $3.5 million, three mansions, and the rights to his Trilogy recordings along with most of his material possessions and control of his name and likeness.
When asked why she and Frank worked as a couple, Barbra had once said, “I think it’s because we were friends before anything romantic happened. He would call and chat, but it wasn’t romantic until later. It’s something you can’t explain why or how it happened.”
Together, the Sinatras founded the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center in Rancho Mirage, California, in 1986 on the Eisenhower Medical Center campus adjacent to the Betty Ford Center. The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center provides counseling and support for child abuse victims and was supported financially by the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament.
“Barbara started raising funds for it in 1985 with Frank’s support,” said Thoresen. “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, this one is probably most recognized.”
Barbara will be forever remembered as a crusader fighting child abuse. Her legacy will live on through the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, which has a $9 million endowment and a board dedicated to maintaining Barbara’s vision.
h/t Nicer Days
