This Is Why Frank Sinatra Excluded His First Wife From The Will
Frank Sinatra, the legendary “Voice of the Century,” left behind an estate worth millions—but his first wife, Nancy Barbato Sinatra, was notably excluded from his will. Their marriage, once a symbol of young love, ended in bitterness, leading to legal disputes and financial exclusion. Why did Sinatra cut her out? The answer lies in their rocky relationship, his later marriages, and a feud that lasted decades.
The Early Years: A Love Story Turned Sour
Frank Sinatra married Nancy Barbato in 1939, and they had three children together: Nancy Sinatra, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Tina Sinatra. In the early years, Nancy supported his career, even helping him land early gigs. However, as Sinatra’s fame skyrocketed, so did his infidelities.
By the 1940s, Sinatra’s affair with actress Ava Gardner became public, leading to a messy divorce in 1951. Nancy received a generous settlement, including properties and alimony, but their relationship remained strained.
The Will Controversy: Why Was Nancy Left Out?
When Sinatra died in 1998, his will divided his estate among his second wife, Barbara Marx Sinatra, and his children—but Nancy received nothing. Reports suggest several reasons:
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Previous Financial Settlements – Nancy had already received significant assets in their divorce.
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Estrangement Over the Years – Despite co-parenting, their relationship was distant.
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Barbara Marx’s Influence – Sinatra’s fourth wife reportedly had a strong say in his estate planning.
Tina Sinatra later stated in her book My Father’s Daughter that while Nancy was not included in the will, she “never wanted anything from him.”
Legal Battles & Family Reactions
Nancy Barbato never publicly contested the will, but tensions within the Sinatra family persisted. Some reports claim that Sinatra’s children received unequal shares, with Frank Jr. allegedly getting less than his sisters.
Public & Media Reactions
Fans and media outlets were divided. Some saw the exclusion as justified, given their divorce decades earlier, while others viewed it as a slight against the woman who stood by him in his early career.
Watch a documentary clip on Sinatra’s marriages:
Frank Sinatra & His Wives – A Complicated Love Story
Conclusion: A Legacy of Love & Conflict
Frank Sinatra’s decision to exclude Nancy from his will reflects their complicated history. While she remained a dignified figure, avoiding public feuds, the omission underscored the lingering scars of their failed marriage.
What do you think—was Sinatra justified in leaving Nancy out? Share your thoughts in the comments!
