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Lady Blue Eyes: My Life with Frank
Thirty years after she first heard his voice singing on the jukebox at her local drive-in, Barbara Ann Blakely heard Frank Sinatra take the wedding vows that began his fourth, final, and most enduring marriage. In Lady Blue Eyes, Barbara Sinatra’s first public love letter to the husband she adored, she celebrates the sensational singer, possessive mate, sexy heartthrob, and devoted friend that she found in Frank. For more than two decades, Barbara was always by his side, traveling the globe and hosting glittering events for their famous friends, including presidents, kings, queens, Hollywood royalty, and musical legends. Among them were Sammy Davis, Jr., Princess Grace of Monaco, Bob Dylan, and Ronald Reagan. Each night, as Frank publicly wooed his bride with love songs from a concert stage, she’d fall in love with him all over again. From her own humble beginnings in a small town in Missouri to her time as a fashion model and her marriage to Zeppo Marx, Barbara Sinatra reveals a life lived with passion, conviction, and grace. A founder of the Miss Universe pageant and a onetime Vegas showgirl, she raised her only son almost single-handedly in often dire circumstances until, after five years of tempestuous courtship, she and Frank committed to each other wholeheartedly. In stories that leap off the page, she takes us behind the scenes of her iconic husband’s legendary career and paints an intimate portrait of a man who was variously generous, jealous, witty, and wicked. Coupled with revealing insights about many of Frank’s celebrated songs, this is much more than the story of a showbiz marriage. It is a story of passion and of a deep and lifelong love.From the Hardcover edition.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2008
174 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Sinatra
5 books1 followerBarbara Sinatra was an American model and showgirl who was married to Frank Sinatra from 1976 until his death in 1998. The Sinatras founded the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center in Rancho Mirage, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
June 26, 2011
Initially, I picked this book up to read because prior to Frank Sinatra, Barbara was married to Zeppo Marx, and I'm always up for more Marx Brothers scoop. Plus, I read Tina Sinatra's My Father's Daughter, and in typical fashion, I remember little about it but that neither Tina nor Nancy have any love lost for fourth wife Barbara. By Tina's account, I vaguely recall, Barbara isolated Frank from the rest of the family, and pushed him to constantly tour to fund her extravagant lifestyle. While this book doesn't address these claims, and in fact, very tellingly, Tina and Nancy are never mentioned by name in this book at all, Barbara reveals a lot of things unintentionally.
What a vapid, climbing, shallow, acquisitive, vain person she is. It seems Frank doted on her, and I'm glad they made each other happy, but she paints herself as nothing better than the glamorous trophy she was. Frank is portrayed as thuggish and bullying, yet fiercely loyal to his friends and charismatic, none of which is surprising. Barbara, in response to his rough ways, comes across like one of those "Goodfellas" girlfriends, who thrill when their man threatens to kill anyone who flirts with them, or gives them a gun to hide. "I gotta admit, it turned me on," ran through my head through several stories of Frank throwing things or ordering people around, while Barbara stood beside him, vibrating with excitement.
Prior to her marriage to Frank (or Zeppo, for that matter), Barbara reveals her poor mothering skills to her only son, born of her brief first marriage to a failure. When Barbara takes up with a new man, she leaves her son with his grandmothers and follows her boyfriend to Las Vegas. When she finally sends for her son, the boyfriend chafes, so she packs him off to military school. She does the same thing when she takes up with Zeppo, although he eventually came around enough for Bob, the son, to take his last name.
The best example of her shallow, surface intelligence comes on page 242, where she's discussing Frank's friendships with athletes: Frank was a great friend of Joe DiMaggio, who married Marilyn Monroe, and was also friendly with O.J. Simpson. I met O.J. once at a disco with his wife, Nicole, who was adorable; it was so sad how that ended. Gee, Barbara, wasn't it a pity when O.J. practically beheaded her, and killed an innocent man as well? How about it was a monstrous act by an abusive, horrible man? You make it sound like the dry cleaning was lost.
Although the book gets repetitive, with a litany of limousines, hotels, pretty clothing, expensive jewelry, world travels, name-dropping of famous friends, Palm Springs, charity work, casual anti-Arab racism, dogs, private planes, etc., it does provide an interesting behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the super-rich and famous really live. I'll give it one star for that, and say I'm still firmly in the Tina/Nancy camp.
What a vapid, climbing, shallow, acquisitive, vain person she is. It seems Frank doted on her, and I'm glad they made each other happy, but she paints herself as nothing better than the glamorous trophy she was. Frank is portrayed as thuggish and bullying, yet fiercely loyal to his friends and charismatic, none of which is surprising. Barbara, in response to his rough ways, comes across like one of those "Goodfellas" girlfriends, who thrill when their man threatens to kill anyone who flirts with them, or gives them a gun to hide. "I gotta admit, it turned me on," ran through my head through several stories of Frank throwing things or ordering people around, while Barbara stood beside him, vibrating with excitement.
Prior to her marriage to Frank (or Zeppo, for that matter), Barbara reveals her poor mothering skills to her only son, born of her brief first marriage to a failure. When Barbara takes up with a new man, she leaves her son with his grandmothers and follows her boyfriend to Las Vegas. When she finally sends for her son, the boyfriend chafes, so she packs him off to military school. She does the same thing when she takes up with Zeppo, although he eventually came around enough for Bob, the son, to take his last name.
The best example of her shallow, surface intelligence comes on page 242, where she's discussing Frank's friendships with athletes: Frank was a great friend of Joe DiMaggio, who married Marilyn Monroe, and was also friendly with O.J. Simpson. I met O.J. once at a disco with his wife, Nicole, who was adorable; it was so sad how that ended. Gee, Barbara, wasn't it a pity when O.J. practically beheaded her, and killed an innocent man as well? How about it was a monstrous act by an abusive, horrible man? You make it sound like the dry cleaning was lost.
Although the book gets repetitive, with a litany of limousines, hotels, pretty clothing, expensive jewelry, world travels, name-dropping of famous friends, Palm Springs, charity work, casual anti-Arab racism, dogs, private planes, etc., it does provide an interesting behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the super-rich and famous really live. I'll give it one star for that, and say I'm still firmly in the Tina/Nancy camp.
September 26, 2022
Thirty years after she first heard his voice singing to her from a jukebox at her local drive-in, Barbara began her love affair with Frank Sinatra. After a tempestuous courtship, she finally heard him say the wedding vows that began his fourth, final, and most enduring marriage; one that would last more than two decades until the end of his life. Generous and jealous, witty and wicked, Frank comes alive in this poignant inside story of the highs and lows of marriage to one of the world's most famous men. In this, her first public love letter to the husband she adored, his wife celebrates the sensational singer, sexy heartthrob, possessive mate, and loyal friend that was Frank Sinatra.
This book will let his legions of fans see another side of "Ol' Blue Eyes." Though Frank Sinatra's children have written memoirs about their father, this is the first time his wife of twenty-two years is sharing intimate details of life with the man and the legend.
In all honesty this book opened my eyes to Frank Sinatra, his life, his work, his touring, his friends, his parties, his homes, but also his character and how well Barbara Sinatra coped and adored the man she married, a man of two characters. The stubborn, strong willed character and the loving, loyal and the enormously generous friend, who often helped many friends. Also his great work for so many charities, supporting his wife and her charities.
This is very much a behind the scenes book, where you learn about Frank and Barbara's life travelling around the world, meeting so many friends, royalty, beautiful cities, beautiful hotels also travelling on his own private jet.
His active life in Palm Springs, the home of the stars in the 50's, 60, 70's and 80's. His friends, well he had the party friends, who enjoying staying up late to party, Dean Martin, Don Rickles, Sammy Davis JR, John Wayne, William Holden, Glenn Ford, Robert Mitchum, Orson Welles, Yul Brymner, then his friends for meals, who go to bed earlier, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, James Cagney, Tony Bennett, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Dick Van Dyke.
Then of course the close friendships with neighbours, Gregory Peck and his wife, Kirk Douglas and his wife, Rosalind Russell, visiting good friend Claudette Colbert at her home in Barbados, Roger Moore and his wife in South of France, so many great stars mentioned.
The many homes, spending so much time at his homes in Palm Springs, but also homes in LA and NY.
Playing tennis, playing golf, poker nights, bridge nights, their charity events. Also the sad times, the nasty press taking photographs when Frank was ill.
Just a book full of great stories. Also let's not forget Barbara's amazing charity work too.
Barbara Sinatra died 2017 aged 90 years old.
This book will let his legions of fans see another side of "Ol' Blue Eyes." Though Frank Sinatra's children have written memoirs about their father, this is the first time his wife of twenty-two years is sharing intimate details of life with the man and the legend.
In all honesty this book opened my eyes to Frank Sinatra, his life, his work, his touring, his friends, his parties, his homes, but also his character and how well Barbara Sinatra coped and adored the man she married, a man of two characters. The stubborn, strong willed character and the loving, loyal and the enormously generous friend, who often helped many friends. Also his great work for so many charities, supporting his wife and her charities.
This is very much a behind the scenes book, where you learn about Frank and Barbara's life travelling around the world, meeting so many friends, royalty, beautiful cities, beautiful hotels also travelling on his own private jet.
His active life in Palm Springs, the home of the stars in the 50's, 60, 70's and 80's. His friends, well he had the party friends, who enjoying staying up late to party, Dean Martin, Don Rickles, Sammy Davis JR, John Wayne, William Holden, Glenn Ford, Robert Mitchum, Orson Welles, Yul Brymner, then his friends for meals, who go to bed earlier, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, James Cagney, Tony Bennett, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Dick Van Dyke.
Then of course the close friendships with neighbours, Gregory Peck and his wife, Kirk Douglas and his wife, Rosalind Russell, visiting good friend Claudette Colbert at her home in Barbados, Roger Moore and his wife in South of France, so many great stars mentioned.
The many homes, spending so much time at his homes in Palm Springs, but also homes in LA and NY.
Playing tennis, playing golf, poker nights, bridge nights, their charity events. Also the sad times, the nasty press taking photographs when Frank was ill.
Just a book full of great stories. Also let's not forget Barbara's amazing charity work too.
Barbara Sinatra died 2017 aged 90 years old.
July 21, 2021
Vapid = lacking a life
Here is a woman who ran through three husbands plus another live-in arrangement and her entire goal in life was to find another man who could support her in the style she preferred.
Ladder = a means of rising
Why drive a Honda when you can have a Rolls? Why work a regular job when you can be a Vegas showgirl and then complain how hard it is (apparently the equivalent to working in the fields)? Why be responsible for anything when there are willing men ready to pay for whatever you want?
Courtesan = a paramour, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth
In this book written by Wendy Holden (I guess writing would be too much effort for Barbara Blakeley/Oliver/Marx/Sinatra), we learn about the life of the woman who snagged Frank Sinatra in the last embers of his life. Oh yes, she was married to someone else at the time. But hey, it's all part of the game, isn't it?
Life and our routines went on, with the usual rounds of games and drinks, charity events, cocktails, parties, and dinners.
I don't begrudge this woman her lifestyle. If you got it, you can flaunt it. What I couldn't stand was the incessant tone of saintly sacrifice. For instance, over and over and over, she goes on about her saintly son who is left in the charge of others to raise or who is being sent to military schools. Mama was too busy chasing the owl.
Even now, every time I look at him I know that I did something right.
Como asi? Well, I wasn't expecting any fireworks from this book, but I was hoping for some honesty regarding Francis Albert and less woe-is-me-we-ran-out-of-caviar/oh-the-desert-is-hot musings. I give it two stars for the workmanlike Wendy Holden and for the fact that it fills a role of the Ultimate Summer Pool Book. But if you want another "take" on Miss Thang, check out Tina Sinatra's book.
The days of wine and roses laugh and run away like a child at play
Through a meadow land toward a closing door
A door marked "nevermore" that wasn't there before
Book Season = Summer (the summer wind came blowing in)
Here is a woman who ran through three husbands plus another live-in arrangement and her entire goal in life was to find another man who could support her in the style she preferred.
Ladder = a means of rising
Why drive a Honda when you can have a Rolls? Why work a regular job when you can be a Vegas showgirl and then complain how hard it is (apparently the equivalent to working in the fields)? Why be responsible for anything when there are willing men ready to pay for whatever you want?
Courtesan = a paramour, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth
In this book written by Wendy Holden (I guess writing would be too much effort for Barbara Blakeley/Oliver/Marx/Sinatra), we learn about the life of the woman who snagged Frank Sinatra in the last embers of his life. Oh yes, she was married to someone else at the time. But hey, it's all part of the game, isn't it?
Life and our routines went on, with the usual rounds of games and drinks, charity events, cocktails, parties, and dinners.
I don't begrudge this woman her lifestyle. If you got it, you can flaunt it. What I couldn't stand was the incessant tone of saintly sacrifice. For instance, over and over and over, she goes on about her saintly son who is left in the charge of others to raise or who is being sent to military schools. Mama was too busy chasing the owl.
Even now, every time I look at him I know that I did something right.
Como asi? Well, I wasn't expecting any fireworks from this book, but I was hoping for some honesty regarding Francis Albert and less woe-is-me-we-ran-out-of-caviar/oh-the-desert-is-hot musings. I give it two stars for the workmanlike Wendy Holden and for the fact that it fills a role of the Ultimate Summer Pool Book. But if you want another "take" on Miss Thang, check out Tina Sinatra's book.
The days of wine and roses laugh and run away like a child at play
Through a meadow land toward a closing door
A door marked "nevermore" that wasn't there before
Book Season = Summer (the summer wind came blowing in)
October 19, 2011
This is a book that is supposed to make me think Barbara Sinatra was the luckiest woman to be married to Frank Sinatra. Yes, she had a great life with him. But I don't think she has a clue to how selfish she made herself out to be. She kept repeating that everything was 'for her son'...however he hardly was in her life between her career & men. When she walked in to find Zeppo Marx with his hands around her son's neck, you would have thought she'd leave him instantly. But no...where was she to go? Give me a break. Either that never happened or she's truly the worst mother ever. Very frustrating to read, but I did love her stories of Frank.
July 6, 2011
What a vain, self serving person. Me me me me me - gah.
February 10, 2012
It appears that Lady Blue Eyes was born with a strong sense of entitlement and an over exalted opinion of herself.
I enjoyed this book, a lot, although I must confess I skipped long passages where the Lady talked about her life, beliefs, and her son.
What makes the book worthwhile is her description of Francis Albert.
It stands to reason that a guy as popular as Sinatra was, a guy with as many personal and dedicated friends as he had, could not have been the monster that the press has made him out to be. This book gives us, I believe, a glimpse of what the man, the husband, the father, the friend, and the artist was really like.
He appears to have been a flawed, generous and interesting human being that just happened to be blessed with an extrordinary talent.
A talent that has brought me, personally, great enjoyment thoughout my life.
Thanks, Ol' Blue Eyes.
And finally, Thanks Lady Blue Eyes for sharing with us a rare glimpse of the man.
I enjoyed this book, a lot, although I must confess I skipped long passages where the Lady talked about her life, beliefs, and her son.
What makes the book worthwhile is her description of Francis Albert.
It stands to reason that a guy as popular as Sinatra was, a guy with as many personal and dedicated friends as he had, could not have been the monster that the press has made him out to be. This book gives us, I believe, a glimpse of what the man, the husband, the father, the friend, and the artist was really like.
He appears to have been a flawed, generous and interesting human being that just happened to be blessed with an extrordinary talent.
A talent that has brought me, personally, great enjoyment thoughout my life.
Thanks, Ol' Blue Eyes.
And finally, Thanks Lady Blue Eyes for sharing with us a rare glimpse of the man.
November 6, 2011
Interesting inside scoop on a celebrity lifestyle. I enjoyed it, even though I didn't really like the author/protagonist. Interesting picture of 50s/60s/70s culture, though.
February 6, 2012
This book is mostly a chance for Barbara Sinatra to drop names, but despite that I found it interesting to learn more about Frank Sinatra's life.
February 20, 2014
While I loved reading how generous and professional Frank Sinatra was, the one thing that stuck out to me was how materialistic his widow was/is. Still a good read despite that.
April 23, 2020
Well, it was interesting because their lives were interesting, but Barbara came across as extremely materialistic and shallow. Diamonds, minks, emeralds, designer dresses, designer shoes, the best hotels, limos, airplanes, paintings, cars and more cars, more and bigger diamonds and emeralds. I forgot to mention the five houses. Yikes. And she made sure we all knew how much Frank adored her. Only once did she slip and mention that Frank never stopped loving Ava. Oh yeah, Frank's kids were almost totally absent; Frank, Jr., was mentioned briefly a couple of times. Apparently his daughters did not exist to Barbara.
And, oh yes, she was chilly at the dinner given by Princess Margaret! Bad princess, to not turn up the heat for Barbara. She would have been ok, but the butler had taken her mink stole! And the first course of the meal was not hot food! How RUDE!
Oh, I almost forgot...there are page after page of lists of all the famous people they dined with, partied with, traveled with, and sometimes she describes them in a way that makes me think she was either stupid or thought we were. Who introduces Judy Garland by putting the phrase "the singer" in front of her name? Holy crap, did she think we'd confuse her with the plumber Judy Garland?
And, oh yes, she was chilly at the dinner given by Princess Margaret! Bad princess, to not turn up the heat for Barbara. She would have been ok, but the butler had taken her mink stole! And the first course of the meal was not hot food! How RUDE!
Oh, I almost forgot...there are page after page of lists of all the famous people they dined with, partied with, traveled with, and sometimes she describes them in a way that makes me think she was either stupid or thought we were. Who introduces Judy Garland by putting the phrase "the singer" in front of her name? Holy crap, did she think we'd confuse her with the plumber Judy Garland?
June 6, 2011
Ninety nine percent of the people reading this book are looking for insight into Frank Sinatra and I am happy that Barbara wisely keeps the focus on her husband.
This is the most insightful look at the personal side of THE man yet written, penned by someone who cared for him and accepted him, warts and all.
He truly had the world on a string...... or as Dean often used to say, "It's Frank's world and we just live in it".
This is the most insightful look at the personal side of THE man yet written, penned by someone who cared for him and accepted him, warts and all.
He truly had the world on a string...... or as Dean often used to say, "It's Frank's world and we just live in it".
December 26, 2018
I really enjoyed this loving memoir.
November 22, 2020
While I found this could be gossipy at times, I really appreciated the detailed notes Barbara wrote about Frank and his generosity. Definitely more of an intimate portrait of the artist and man rather than a biography.
September 23, 2021
I cannot put into words how self-absorbed, wilfully ignorant, calculating, ignorant, and covetous Barbara Sinatra comes across in her own autobiography. Iconic in its glamour and repulsiveness. A masterpiece example of the Hollywood memoir: I couldn't put it down.
Currently reading
June 4, 2012The book is a biography so It's about a person, The person that the story is about is Barbara Sinatra and her life and who she came to be and also her life with Frank and how she met and married him. The main characters are Barbara Sinatra and Frank Sinatra. "Although it was a closed casket,I wanted frank to look his best, so I had the staff at the funeral home dress him in one of his finest navy blue suits and striped tie."(Sinatra pg.359) "He was buried with a flask of Jack Daniel's, a roll of Dimes,some stuffed toys from his grandchildren, and his favorite candies. Bobby added a packet of Camel cigarettes and his Zippo lighter."(Sinatra pg.359)
I think the author did a great job she gave a some good information. Towards the end of the book it really moved specially her final moments with him and what happened during and after wards and her feelings through out the whole thing. What I learned that people can love each other no matter what. I really thought the book was good specially having someone elses opinion living/being married to a famous person and how they learned to live the rest of there lives. I would recommend it to other people that may want to learn a bit about Mrs.Sinatra's life
I would give it a 3.5 because I really like it but at the same time it wasn't a book I wouldn't recommend it for biography purposes because its not the best at it.
December 22, 2017
Well, this book definitely gave insight to the rich and famous and how they love their lives. I mean, it was the era they lived it, the popularity and celebrity status that was granted to them and the lifestyle they were accustomed to. I get it. Mrs. Sinatra, who liked to frequently refer to herself like that, did live a special high society life and I can see how some readers would link his to being snotty, chin up high, gold digger kind of person, but I have to admit, it was a good read and it was an interesting life to learn about. Another thing that went through my head was, can you even imagine these people living and acting like that in our world today? Even JFK, whom everyone loved and adored back then...can you even imagine the sexual assault charges now that could be presented??? It’s crazy to think this, but it was certainly a different era back then. Regardless of her relationship with the Sinatra children, which this book did not reflect on, it was an enjoyable read and I even cried at the end. Perhaps they really did have this beautiful life filled with love and bliss...it sure did sound nice.
August 5, 2012
It was hard to get thru Barbara's early life. The writing was too sappy for me and she comes off sounding quite full of herself. I believe she did have a tough show girl background. I am sure she prettied up that part of her life. I read this for the stories about Frank and friends. I was not disappointed. What amused me was the obvious omission of Frank's daughters, Nancy and Tina and his first wife Nancy. Frank Jr was mentioned, and his other two wives Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow! Wonder why?
February 5, 2012
Barbara Sinatra is an interesting woman, seemed very well liked and loved by her husbands!
A beautiful blonde who seemed to have no ambitions beyond being well taken care of and
loved. She had a good life, more power to her. Charity seemed to be important to both
her and Frank. The fact that she almost makes no mention of Frank's children does seem a little
weird.I enjoyed the book, it is a lifestyle that few people have any more.
A beautiful blonde who seemed to have no ambitions beyond being well taken care of and
loved. She had a good life, more power to her. Charity seemed to be important to both
her and Frank. The fact that she almost makes no mention of Frank's children does seem a little
weird.I enjoyed the book, it is a lifestyle that few people have any more.
October 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book, Barbara seems to be a very lovable woman, i don't know why many people are hostile toward her, and rather tend to believe Tina Sinatra' trashy stories about her, it's obvious the Sinatra' daughters felt bitter and jealous from Frank' strong love and commitment for his last wife..anyway i loved the book even though i don't like Sinatra as a person but i enjoyed reading the book..
April 8, 2013
I don't recommend this book. I will be reading a better discussion of Frank Sinatra's life. Barbara Sinatra tells mainly her own life story which happens to include Frank. The book starts at her childhood. Her life is kind of interesting however it's hard to be engrossed when you dislike the narrator.
January 3, 2012
Kind of horrifying, actually.
July 11, 2015
Added 7/11/15.
July 24, 2017
My husband is a fan of Frank Sinatra, we listened audio together.
We enjoyed this and hearing another side. of Frank.
We enjoyed this and hearing another side. of Frank.
November 25, 2018
Considering that she had a good ghost writer cleaning it up as she went - and she mostly dictated it we understand - it is a decent if not particularly candid read. The drinking, the broads, and a rat-pack of old men reliving memories of bygone days is all very much expected. Barbara Sinatra glosses over the legendary fights over the estate, the recording royalties still pouring in, and even the film royalties (yes, he’s still making money many years after his death.) The family will not come to want for anything in the foreseeable future, in spite of much prolific (near legendary) spending on Barbara’s part after Franks death. However, the real story of Barbara, Frank, his children, her son, and the money before and after Frank’s death, and then after Barbara’s passing - those things have not been documented nor revealed in any meaningful way by some aspiring author. While there is a generation that asks “Frank WHO???” when his name is mentioned - there are still plenty of folks who remember the Sinatra Magic and Old Blue-Eyes himself. Those people would love to see the final and definitive wrap-up on times of these two mismatched people and the extraordinary lives they lived. Barbara’s book is saccharine in it’s editing and so scrubbed as to become nearly meaningless. Me thinks it would not be difficult to unearth the truth and nothing but… however, to do so someone is going to have to start and start quickly. There isn’t that much time left as Franks daughters are now in their late 70’s and his grandchildren are beyond middle aged, too. Those are the sources that need to be included, not sheltered and withheld as Barbara was tempted to do. The whole truth about this amazingly talented clan would be truly delicious if the various authors would finally find the nerve to tell it!
August 16, 2023
Lady Blue Eyes begins with an autobiography of the author. Barbara Blakely grew up in a quiet corner of Montana. Throughout her description of her early life, she talks about what Frank Sinatra and his music meant to her and her generation. Pretty and tall, young Barbara headed off into a career as a model and dancer. After a failed marriage to a local boy, she hit the big time and eventually married Zeppo Marx, the youngest of the Marx Brothers. Living in Palm Springs, Sinatra was a neighbor. Though they had met years earlier on multiple occasions, it was in Palm Springs that they connected after Barbara's marriage to Zeppo went bad.
Barbara Sinatra's stories are charming. Her life is full of brushes with fame and fortune. Ultimately, the book becomes an intimate portrait of Frank's domestic world in his later life. This was Frank playing cards, golfing, painting, supporting charities and visiting friends. For fans of Sinatra, this is a delightful portrait from a woman who was with him longer than any other. She idealizes Frank. Even when Sinatra is violent, the author says "but that was just Frank being Frank. She never stops bragging about his generosity and charity as evidence of what a good person he was. I don't doubt that Frank was a good person, but he had a temper and some quirks that Barbara Sinatra has no problem with...
So, this is a love letter to Frank from his adoring 4th wife which gives a decidedly different perspective. The book is well written and enjoyable.
Barbara Sinatra's stories are charming. Her life is full of brushes with fame and fortune. Ultimately, the book becomes an intimate portrait of Frank's domestic world in his later life. This was Frank playing cards, golfing, painting, supporting charities and visiting friends. For fans of Sinatra, this is a delightful portrait from a woman who was with him longer than any other. She idealizes Frank. Even when Sinatra is violent, the author says "but that was just Frank being Frank. She never stops bragging about his generosity and charity as evidence of what a good person he was. I don't doubt that Frank was a good person, but he had a temper and some quirks that Barbara Sinatra has no problem with...
So, this is a love letter to Frank from his adoring 4th wife which gives a decidedly different perspective. The book is well written and enjoyable.
September 20, 2017
On an impulse, I borrowed this audio book from the public library when I found the shelves rather limited on choices. And since I grew up listening to his music and watching Sinatra on the big screen, I thought it would be like listening to the gossip as provided by “Photoplay” or “The Motion Picture” magazine . . . it was! Unfortunately, the picture painted by Barbara Sinatra describes how she ran through three husbands and other live-in arrangements. It seems to me that her goal in life was to find a man who could support her in the style she pursued. Frank Sinatra provided that lifestyle. She portrays Frank as a difficult person to be married to. I don't doubt there was love between them, but as much as she loved Frank, she still comes across as being very impressed with herself. I found she alternated between being extremely needy, mutually dependent, and very opportunistic.
Interesting read – She never mentions his daughters and small mention of his son’s kidnapping, however she never fails to mention her dear Bobbie through out the book. I can’t wait to compare it to his daughter, Tina's book.
Interesting read – She never mentions his daughters and small mention of his son’s kidnapping, however she never fails to mention her dear Bobbie through out the book. I can’t wait to compare it to his daughter, Tina's book.
September 24, 2017
Lovely book!
I really enjoyed reading this book by the last Mrs. Sinatra about her life. Her evolution from a small town to running a modeling school to showgirl to life in the fast track with Frank Sinatra was fascinating. Many reviewers accuse her of being shallow and vapid but to me she came through as fun, loving, caring and a very hard worker. I think she deserved every bauble Frank bought for her. He can't have been easy to live with and it sounds like she gave him what he needed when he needed it. What more can you ask from a marriage partner. I admire her stamina, sense of humor, masses of good friends and great sociabity in addition to the considerable time and energy she put into fundraising for abused children and other causes. A beautiful lady who didn't seem to have a negative word about anyone (except Princess Anne). I'm sure she could have let loose about a lot of people but chose to be gracious. Riveting behind the scenes look at Sinatras latest years. And very moving in many places.
I really enjoyed reading this book by the last Mrs. Sinatra about her life. Her evolution from a small town to running a modeling school to showgirl to life in the fast track with Frank Sinatra was fascinating. Many reviewers accuse her of being shallow and vapid but to me she came through as fun, loving, caring and a very hard worker. I think she deserved every bauble Frank bought for her. He can't have been easy to live with and it sounds like she gave him what he needed when he needed it. What more can you ask from a marriage partner. I admire her stamina, sense of humor, masses of good friends and great sociabity in addition to the considerable time and energy she put into fundraising for abused children and other causes. A beautiful lady who didn't seem to have a negative word about anyone (except Princess Anne). I'm sure she could have let loose about a lot of people but chose to be gracious. Riveting behind the scenes look at Sinatras latest years. And very moving in many places.
March 23, 2017
Interesting book written by Barbara Sinatra, fourth and longest-serving wife of the late Frank Sinatra. She published this memoir in 2011, 13 years after Frank's death. After starting out in modeling and a brief first marriage, she was married for a number of years to Zeppo Marx, the youngest of the Marx brothers but 26 years her senior. After being together about a dozen years, she married Frank Sinatra in 1976 after having dated him for about 5 years following her divorce. Sounds like for the most part, they had a happy marriage, as long as you were willing to follow Frank's many requirements 24 hours a day, and apparently she was. Although she mentions Frank Jr. a few times, who served as the conductor of his dad's touring orchestra for many years, it's strange that she never once mentions Frank's two daughters, Nancy Jr. and Tina. But I've read elsewhere that theirs was a strained relationship.
**#38 of 120 books pledged to read/review during 2017**
**#38 of 120 books pledged to read/review during 2017**
May 3, 2020
Barbara Ann Blakeley from Bosworth, MO born in 1927. Who ever would of thought that she'd become the 4th and last wife of Francis Albert Sinatra. Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Businesswoman, Philanthropist, Socialite, and more. (Also was married to Herbert "Zeppo" Marx, the youngest of the Marx Brothers, and the last one to die, in 1979). She certainly led a very interesting life, traveling the world, many Hollywood friends, but, all of this comes with a price, as there were the ups and downs. One story from the book: When they went to pay for their marriage license in Palms Springs, CA, Frank made her pay the $20.00 for the license, and then said to her "That will be the last time you ever pay for anything." And he meant it. I really enjoyed the book, and cried at the end when Frank died.
January 10, 2021
As a lifelong fan of Sinatra (Frank, not Barbara), I was always going to enjoy this book. But I was delighted to discover that it is surprisingly well-written and quite engaging. As I progressed, however, my concern became that Barbara was trying to write Frank’s legacy, rather than an accurate story of his final several decades. The most important element in an autobiography is transparency so, I suspect, we are short-changed by Barbara. For example, Frank’s daughters Nancy and Tina remained close and important to Frank in his later life, but there is no mention of them in Barbara’s telling. Also, Frank was renown as a frequently difficult, aggressive, grumpy contrarian but Barbara justifies every tantrum and is an apologist for his bad behaviour. Again, I enjoyed the book, but I am unconvinced that it tells Frank Sinatra’s true and authentic story.
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