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had sold the house I’d shared with him by then and moved to a place on the golf course just off Frank Sinatra Drive (which I always thought was kind of ironic). He called me from there one day and asked me to drive him to his doctor in Los Angeles, who informed me for the first time that my ex-husband was in remission from cancer. Before too long, though, it came back. Zeppo was old and alone with all his brothers dead and no one left to love, which made me sad. In return for the kindness he’d shown them, my family took care of him in his final days.

A few days before he died, I went to visit Zeppo in the hospital. He had an awful rattle in his throat, which told me the end was near. I’d loved him once, so it was horrible to see the dashing gambler who’d wooed me in Vegas looking old and frail. In his will, Zeppo left my son a handful of possessions and some money to finish his legal education, which was thoughtful. I sent flowers and went to his funeral with Frank, and Bobby stepped up and said a few words about the stepfather who’d become a friend. It was the closing of a door for us both.

My grandparents “Pa” and “Ma” Hillis in Bosworth, Missouri.

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As a young bride, on the day of my marriage to Bob Oliver, in Long Beach, California, 1948.

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An early modeling shot.

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In my Oscar de la Renta dress at the Ittlesons in the south of France the night Frank flew in to join me.

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Taking our vows at the Annenberg house, Palm Springs, surrounded by some of the world’s finest art, 1976.

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The happiest day of my life.

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My long-haired hippie of a son, Bobby, with my first husband, Bob Oliver.

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My parents, Willis and Irene Blakeley, at their diamond wedding anniversary party at the Tamarisk Country Club.

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Relaxing by the pool at Judy and Bill Green’s home in Mount Kisco, New York.

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Dressed for the part at the Share Party in Los Angeles.

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Kissing my “pilot” in front of his plane, the Lady Barbara.

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Toasting our sixth anniversary.

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Rehearsing at Giza for a night to remember.

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Dancing with my husband at his sixty-fifth birthday party.

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Frank cooking and kissing our dear friend Judy Green.

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Frank miserable at home with the flu. He prescribed himself “Dr. Daniels.”

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At my desert ranch with Bar Dancer, the horse given to me by my school friend Winnie Markley and her husband, Jimmy Razook.

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Always a sucker for the underdog.

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With Sidney Poitier and his wife, Joanna.

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With Bruce Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa, the night before Frank’s eightieth birthday tribute.

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Bob Dylan at our house before Frank’s eightieth birthday celebration.

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Frank talking to young victims of abuse at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.

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Paul Anka, Charlton Heston, Frank Sinatra, me, and Gregory Peck at Frank’s seventy-fifth anniversary award dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel, 1989.

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Two wonderful singers, one wonderful evening. Frank with Ella Fitzgerald at the Society of Singers kick-off dinner, 1988.

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With my great friend Cary Grant.

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Dressed to the nines for the Frank Sinatra “My Way” tribute, 1995.

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Scanning the news pages on the road.

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With Liza with a “z” Minnelli.

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President Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty, welcome me, Greg, and Veronique to a Washington party.

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With President