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Lot Essay
Prior to their names becoming synonymous with elegance and influence, Barbara and Frank Sinatra were two individuals characterized by modest origins with a desire to create something meaningful out of life.
Francis Albert Sinatra, known as Frank Sinatra, was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on December 12, 1915, the only child of Italian immigrants Dolly and Marty Sinatra. His mother, a strong-willed midwife and political organizer, instilled in him confidence and drive, while his father, a former boxer turned firefighter, taught him discipline. As a boy, Sinatra was often in trouble at school and around the neighborhood. He found escape in music, idolizing Bing Crosby and dreaming of fame. By his teens, he was singing in local bars and on small radio stations, his rich voice already hinting at the power that would one day captivate the world. When he joined Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra in the early 1940s, his smooth, heartfelt delivery earned him the nickname “The Voice,” marking the arrival of this soon to be towering figure.
Barbara Blakeley, born in Bosworth, Missouri, on March 10, 1927. She grew up amid the quiet rhythms of Midwestern life then moved to California after high school. Barbara found success as a model and social figure in Palm Springs and Beverly Hills. Her marriage to Zeppo Marx of the famed Marx Brothers, introduced her to the world of entertainment and philanthropy. However, it was her own intelligence and empathy that made her a part of California's social landscape, admired not only for her beauty but for her quiet strength.
Barbara and Frank met in the late 1960s in Palm Springs at a soirée hosted by the “Rat Pack” elite. At the time, Frank was already a legend; Barbara, who was known for her charm and tact, was admired for her independence. Their connection grew slowly, marked by friendship and shared values.
They married in July 1976, embarking on what would become one of the most enduring and genuine partnerships. Barbara brought serenity and balance to Sinatra’s later years, creating a space where the world’s most famous crooner could simply be himself.
The Sinatra partnership extended beyond companionship, it became a platform for giving. In 1986, Barbara founded the “Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center” in California, a project that would come to define their shared legacy. Barbara’s focus was on healing and protection, inspired by her empathy for children’s suffering and her access to influential circles. Frank's deep empathy, rooted in his working-class experiences, found new expression through the center's mission. Benefit concerts, galas, and private donations were distributed from their joint efforts with funds supporting not only the center but also veterans' programs, hospitals, and educational programs.
Following Frank’s passing in 1998, Barbara continued to chair the foundation, ensuring that the Sinatra name remained synonymous not only with music and style but also with compassion and civic responsibility. She never remarried, instead dedicating the next two decades to philanthropy, spearheading wellness initiatives for at-risk youth across California. Until her passing in 2017, she maintained the foundation's guiding authority and continued to be deeply committed to the values she and Frank had shared.
Barbara and Frank’s story is one of transformation, of how love, purpose and generosity can transcend fame. Through the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and their enduring charitable foundations, their spirit continues to resonate throughout every act of kindness performed in their name.
Christie’s is honored to present this sentimental symbol of Frank’s devotion to Barbara, an important 20.60 carat diamond originally given to her as an engagement ring.
Francis Albert Sinatra, known as Frank Sinatra, was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on December 12, 1915, the only child of Italian immigrants Dolly and Marty Sinatra. His mother, a strong-willed midwife and political organizer, instilled in him confidence and drive, while his father, a former boxer turned firefighter, taught him discipline. As a boy, Sinatra was often in trouble at school and around the neighborhood. He found escape in music, idolizing Bing Crosby and dreaming of fame. By his teens, he was singing in local bars and on small radio stations, his rich voice already hinting at the power that would one day captivate the world. When he joined Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra in the early 1940s, his smooth, heartfelt delivery earned him the nickname “The Voice,” marking the arrival of this soon to be towering figure.
Barbara Blakeley, born in Bosworth, Missouri, on March 10, 1927. She grew up amid the quiet rhythms of Midwestern life then moved to California after high school. Barbara found success as a model and social figure in Palm Springs and Beverly Hills. Her marriage to Zeppo Marx of the famed Marx Brothers, introduced her to the world of entertainment and philanthropy. However, it was her own intelligence and empathy that made her a part of California's social landscape, admired not only for her beauty but for her quiet strength.
Barbara and Frank met in the late 1960s in Palm Springs at a soirée hosted by the “Rat Pack” elite. At the time, Frank was already a legend; Barbara, who was known for her charm and tact, was admired for her independence. Their connection grew slowly, marked by friendship and shared values.
They married in July 1976, embarking on what would become one of the most enduring and genuine partnerships. Barbara brought serenity and balance to Sinatra’s later years, creating a space where the world’s most famous crooner could simply be himself.
The Sinatra partnership extended beyond companionship, it became a platform for giving. In 1986, Barbara founded the “Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center” in California, a project that would come to define their shared legacy. Barbara’s focus was on healing and protection, inspired by her empathy for children’s suffering and her access to influential circles. Frank's deep empathy, rooted in his working-class experiences, found new expression through the center's mission. Benefit concerts, galas, and private donations were distributed from their joint efforts with funds supporting not only the center but also veterans' programs, hospitals, and educational programs.
Following Frank’s passing in 1998, Barbara continued to chair the foundation, ensuring that the Sinatra name remained synonymous not only with music and style but also with compassion and civic responsibility. She never remarried, instead dedicating the next two decades to philanthropy, spearheading wellness initiatives for at-risk youth across California. Until her passing in 2017, she maintained the foundation's guiding authority and continued to be deeply committed to the values she and Frank had shared.
Barbara and Frank’s story is one of transformation, of how love, purpose and generosity can transcend fame. Through the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and their enduring charitable foundations, their spirit continues to resonate throughout every act of kindness performed in their name.
Christie’s is honored to present this sentimental symbol of Frank’s devotion to Barbara, an important 20.60 carat diamond originally given to her as an engagement ring.