Frank Sinatra campaigned for John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan — but his bipartisan ways ended with Barbara Sinatra and Nancy Reagan feuding over his dead body. Hollywood was hustling to pay tribute to Frank at his Beverly Hills funeral when the legendary singer died on May 14, 1998. Sources reported that Frank’s grieving widow, however, shocked the Sinatra clan by suddenly leaving Nancy off the guest list. Read on for how Barbara had carefully made sure that the former First Lady would be missing from showbiz’s hottest farewell appearance!
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In a bizarre twist, however, an insider revealed that Barbara's bid to keep Nancy away didn't have anything to do with Ronald Reagan's stint in the White House. "I'm sorry to say that Barbara has never really liked Nancy," said Beverly Hills socialite Marion Long-Devaux. "The trouble started years ago when Kitty Kelley wrote in an awful book that
Frank had an affair with Mrs. Reagan in the White House. Well, nothing could be further from the truth, and Barbara never believed the preposterous story for a second."
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"But," continued Marion, "we were all at a party 10 years ago at the Sinatra home in Palm Springs, and Eydie Gormé jokingly asked Nancy about the 'affair.' Rather than flatly deny it, as she probably should have, Nancy winked and said, 'Well, Eydie, only Frank and I know the real truth.' Eydie's eyes got wide as saucers, and everyone burst into laughter...but Barbara didn't think it was so funny!"
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Photo credit: Getty Images
"From that time on, it was always rather tense between them," said the socialite. "Every time Nancy and Barbara were in the same room, Barbara would shoot daggers at Nancy." Fortunately, Nancy was still able to say goodbye to Frank alongside his multiple mourners once Tina Sinatra learned of the snub. Frank's daughter reportedly personally called Nancy, saying: "You must [attend], for Daddy. He loved you so."
In a bizarre twist, however, an insider revealed that Barbara's bid to keep Nancy away didn't have anything to do with Ronald Reagan's stint in the White House. "I'm sorry to say that Barbara has never really liked Nancy," said Beverly Hills socialite Marion Long-Devaux. "The trouble started years ago when Kitty Kelley wrote in an awful book that
Frank had an affair with Mrs. Reagan in the White House. Well, nothing could be further from the truth, and Barbara never believed the preposterous story for a second."
Photo credit: Getty Images
"But," continued Marion, "we were all at a party 10 years ago at the Sinatra home in Palm Springs, and Eydie Gormé jokingly asked Nancy about the 'affair.' Rather than flatly deny it, as she probably should have, Nancy winked and said, 'Well, Eydie, only Frank and I know the real truth.' Eydie's eyes got wide as saucers, and everyone burst into laughter...but Barbara didn't think it was so funny!"
Photo credit: Getty Images
"From that time on, it was always rather tense between them," said the socialite. "Every time Nancy and Barbara were in the same room, Barbara would shoot daggers at Nancy." Fortunately, Nancy was still able to say goodbye to Frank alongside his multiple mourners once Tina Sinatra learned of the snub. Frank's daughter reportedly personally called Nancy, saying: "You must [attend], for Daddy. He loved you so."
Photo credit: Getty Images
