Childhood and Education Journey of Frank Sinatra in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Frank Sinatra. A timeline of key moments.

Frank Sinatra, nicknamed "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", was a highly popular and influential American singer and actor of the 20th century. He is considered one of the best-selling music artists globally, with estimated record sales of 150 million. Sinatra's impact on music and entertainment remains significant.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1944: Campaigning for the Democrats

After meeting President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, Frank Sinatra heavily campaigned for the Democrats in the 1944 presidential election.

October 30, 1947: Awarded Key to the City in Hoboken

On October 30, 1947, Frank Sinatra was awarded the Key to the City by Mayor Fred M. De Sapio in his native Hoboken.

1948: Campaigning for Harry S. Truman

In 1948, Frank Sinatra actively campaigned for President Harry S. Truman.

1952: Campaigning for Adlai Stevenson

In 1952, Frank Sinatra campaigned for Adlai Stevenson.

1953: Sinatra's Visit to Frenchay Hospital

In 1953, Frank Sinatra visited Frenchay Hospital, which used to sit at the site of a new housing development. This visit was later commemorated in 2024 with a road being named after him.

1953: Split with Ava Gardner

In 1953, Frank Sinatra's split with Ava Gardner had a profound impact on the types of songs he sang and on his voice. He began to console himself in songs with a "brooding melancholy".

June 1955: Support for Lee J. Cobb after heart attack

In June 1955, after Lee J. Cobb suffered a heart attack, Frank Sinatra provided him with gifts, paid his hospital bills, and offered encouragement during his recovery.

1956: Campaigning for Adlai Stevenson

In 1956, Frank Sinatra campaigned for Adlai Stevenson.

May 1959: Sinatra Writes Article for Inter-Racial Friendship

In May 1959, Frank Sinatra wrote an article titled "You Can't Hate and be Happy" for "What the Stars Say", a publication by the Stars Campaign for Inter-Racial Friendship, following the murder of Kelso Cochrane in London.

September 19, 1959: Sinatra Hosts Luncheon for Nikita Khrushchev

On September 19, 1959, Frank Sinatra was asked by 20th Century Fox to be the master of ceremonies at a luncheon attended by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

January 1961: Organization of Inaugural Gala for John F. Kennedy

In January 1961, Frank Sinatra and Peter Lawford organized the Inaugural Gala in Washington, D.C., for President John F. Kennedy.

1961: Performances for Mexican Charities

In 1961, Frank Sinatra traveled to Mexico to perform for Mexican charities.

1962: Performances for Mexican Charities

In 1962, Frank Sinatra traveled to Mexico to perform for Mexican charities.

1963: King wept at Sinatra concert

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. sat weeping in the audience at one of Frank Sinatra's concerts as Sinatra sang "Ol' Man River".

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July 1964: Dedication of the Frank Sinatra International Youth Center

In July 1964, Frank Sinatra attended the dedication of the Frank Sinatra International Youth Center for Arab and Jewish children in Nazareth.

June 1965: Benefit Concert for Dismas House

In June 1965, Frank Sinatra, along with Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin, performed live in St. Louis to benefit Dismas House, a prisoner rehabilitation and training center.

February 8, 1967: Teamsters Charity Concert

On February 8, 1967, Frank Sinatra performed at a Teamsters annual charity concert in St. Louis, Missouri, to benefit the Dismas Clark Half-Way House, featuring the Rat Pack with Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin.

1968: Working with Hubert H. Humphrey

In 1968, Frank Sinatra worked with Hubert H. Humphrey and remained a supporter of the Democratic Party.

November 2, 1970: Last Songs Recorded Before Retirement

On November 2, 1970, Frank Sinatra recorded his last songs for Reprise Records before announcing his retirement the following June.

1970: Endorsement of Ronald Reagan

In 1970, although still a registered Democrat, Frank Sinatra endorsed Republican Ronald Reagan for a second term as Governor of California.

1970: Shift in political affiliations

In 1970, when Frank Sinatra changed his political affiliations, he became less outspoken on racial issues.

July 1972: Support for Richard Nixon

In July 1972, Frank Sinatra officially changed his political allegiance and supported Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election.

October 20, 1972: Performance at Young Voters Rally

On October 20, 1972, Frank Sinatra performed "My Kind of Town" at a Young Voters Rally in Chicago at the request of President Richard Nixon.

1976: Reunion of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and Awards

During Labor Day weekend in 1976, Frank Sinatra reunited Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis at the "Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon". In 1976, The Friars Club selected Sinatra as the "Top Box Office Name of the Century", and he received the Scopus Award from the American Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Nevada.

1976: Induction into the Catholic Sovereign Military Order of Malta

In 1976, despite his earlier criticisms of the church, Frank Sinatra was inducted into the Catholic Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

January 1977: Death of Dolly Sinatra and Royal Albert Hall Performance

In January 1977, Frank Sinatra's mother, Dolly, died in a plane crash while traveling to see him. He canceled shows and spent time in Barbados. In March 1977, he performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, raising money for charity.

1977: Turn to Catholicism after mother's death

In 1977, after his mother died in a plane crash, Frank Sinatra turned to Catholicism for healing.

1978: Lawsuit Against Land Developer

In 1978, Frank Sinatra filed a $1 million lawsuit against a land developer for using his name in the "Frank Sinatra Drive Center" in West Los Angeles.

1979: Awards and Performance in Egypt

In 1979, during a party at Caesars, Frank Sinatra was awarded the Grammy Trustees Award, celebrating 40 years in show business and his 64th birthday. Also in 1979, former President Gerald Ford awarded Sinatra the International Man of the Year Award, and he performed in front of the Egyptian pyramids for Anwar Sadat, raising money for charity.

1980: Donation to Ronald Reagan's campaign

In the 1980 presidential election, Frank Sinatra donated $4 million to Ronald Reagan's campaign and arranged Reagan's Presidential gala.

September 21, 1983: Lawsuit Against Kitty Kelley

On September 21, 1983, Frank Sinatra filed a $2 million court case against Kitty Kelley before her unofficial biography, 'His Way', was published.

September 19, 1984: Dropped case against Kitty Kelley

On September 19, 1984, Frank Sinatra was forced to drop his case against Kitty Kelley, with several leading newspapers expressing concerns about censorship.

1984: Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Loyola Marymount University

In 1984, Frank Sinatra received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Loyola Marymount University.

January 1985: Reconciliation with Nelson Riddle

In January 1985, Frank Sinatra and Nelson Riddle reconciled at a dinner for Ronald Reagan, after a major falling out. Sinatra asked Riddle to make another album with him, but Riddle died before they could record.

1985: Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology

In 1985, Frank Sinatra received an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology.

1986: Collapse on Stage and Rat Pack Reunion Tour

In 1986, Frank Sinatra collapsed on stage in Atlantic City and was hospitalized for diverticulitis. Two years later, he reunited with Martin and Davis for the Rat Pack Reunion Tour.

1986: Colon Surgery

In 1986, Frank Sinatra's daughter Tina Sinatra blamed Kitty Kelley and her book 'His Way' for her father's colon surgery.

March 1994: Fainting Onstage in Richmond, Virginia

During his tours, in March 1994, Frank Sinatra fainted onstage in Richmond, Virginia, due to memory lapses during concerts.

February 25, 1995: Final Performance Before a Live Audience

On February 25, 1995, Frank Sinatra sang for the last time before a live audience at the Palm Desert Marriott Ballroom during the Frank Sinatra Desert Classic golf tournament.

1995: 80th Birthday Celebration

In 1995, to mark Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday, the Empire State Building glowed blue. A birthday tribute, Sinatra: 80 Years My Way, was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, featuring various performers singing his songs. Sinatra performed on stage for the last time, singing the final notes of "Theme from New York, New York".