Background to Frank Sinatra's last words
Sinatra's huge success and influence in the field of popular music, stage and film is well known. He was also a lifelong political activist for liberal causes, especially racial equality. The only real cloud to mar his legacy are the persistent reports of his links with the Mafia. Although never proven and never the cause of any criminal charge, these rumours are widely believed.
He had been seriously ill for several months when he suffered a heart attack in May 1998 and died soon afterwards in hospital. His wife was at his side when he died but not, much to her annoyance, his daughter Nancy, who was informed too late to be there when Sinatra passed away.