Barbara Sinatra, widow of singing star Frank Sinatra, dies at 90

Barbara Sinatra, a onetime model and Las Vegas, Nev., showgirl who was the fourth and final wife of singer Frank Sinatra and who founded a center for abused children, died Tuesday at her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She was 90.

Sinatra, who was married to Sinatra for almost 22 years — longer than any of three previous wives — was considered a steadying force in his life and was at his side as his singing career had a remarkable resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s.

They had their first encounter in 1957, when she was working at the Riviera casino in Las Vegas. Sinatra, at the height of his fame, was at the bar with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and other members of his fabled Rat Pack.

Two years later, she married Zeppo Marx, once a member of the Marx Brothers comedy team, who was 25 years her senior. They settled in the show business enclave of Palm Springs, Calif., where Sinatra also had a home.

She was still married to Marx when she and Sinatra, by then divorced from his third wife, actress Mia Farrow, became more than casual acquaintances.

By the time her divorce was final in 1973, she was already Sinatra’s steady companion, accompanying him on worldwide concert tours. It took hours for him to unwind after his performances, and he enjoyed the company of other people and strong liquor.