Nancy Sinatra, the eldest daughter of renowned crooner Frank Sinatra and his wife, Nancy Barbato Sinatra, was born on June 8, 1940. Growing up, the family relocated to Hasbrouck Heights in New Jersey, where they lived in a charming little house. However, their newfound fame brought unwanted attention, as people would come to catch a glimpse of Frank, causing concern for Nancy’s safety as a young child.
Nancy’s childhood was immersed in a world of stardom and opulence, constantly under the glare of the public eye. Despite this backdrop, her journey to becoming a singing sensation in her own right was far from smooth. Initially, her early singles failed to make an impact, and she faced the possibility of being dropped by her father’s record label, Reprise Records. However, through vocal training and a transformation of her image, Nancy eventually achieved the success that remains etched in our memories.
As the family relocated to California to support Frank’s acting career in Hollywood, Nancy delved into various artistic pursuits. She took lessons in dancing, acting, piano, and voice, honing her skills in preparation for her own artistic endeavors. It was during this time that Nancy became synonymous with her iconic go-go boots and her hit song “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” The track even had a rare music video accompanying it, an uncommon feat in the days preceding MTV.
Recalling the genesis of her hit, Nancy vividly remembers the moment she knew its potential. In an interview with Los Angeles Magazine, she described how, upon hearing the bass line played by writer-producer Lee Hazlewood in her mother’s living room, she sensed its immense success. Nancy’s intuition proved correct as the song soared to number one on the charts. Its enduring popularity among generations of young girls is a testament to its timeless appeal. Nancy considers herself fortunate to have recorded it and attributes part of its success to the fashion of the era, as girls always desired a pair of trendy boots.
Before achieving this breakthrough hit, Nancy faced setbacks in her personal life and career trajectory. She had dropped out of college, experienced a short-lived marriage and divorce, and faced the possibility of being dropped by her father’s record label. Thankfully, songwriter Lee Hazlewood taught her to sing in a lower tone, and she embraced the fashionable “Carnaby Street” look. In 1966, she released her most famous single, which topped both the United States Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Singles Chart.
Following her initial success, Nancy continued to produce other hits such as “How Does That Grab You, Darlin’?” and “Sugar Town.” She also ventured into acting, starring alongside Peter Fonda in the 1966 film The Wild Angels and alongside Elvis Presley in Speedway in 1968.
In the 1970s, Nancy chose to step away from the spotlight to prioritize raising her children from her second marriage to Hugh Lambert. However, she made a dazzling comeback by posing for Playboy at the age of 54. She also released her third album, featuring collaborations with musicians such as Bono and Morrissey, who acted as mentors to her. Nancy further solidified her legacy by publishing two books about her father and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
As for her iconic go-go boots, Nancy cannot precisely recall their fate but believes she likely gave them away at some point.
Nancy Sinatra’s romantic life includes her marriage to teen singing idol Tommy Sands in 1960, which ended in divorce after a few years. In 1970, she embarked on a new chapter with Hugh Lambert, with whom she raised her two daughters. Sadly, Lambert passed away from cancer in 1985.
Despite the passage of time, Nancy remains an active and vibrant personality. In 2020, she launched Nancy’s Bootique, an online shop where fans can order CDs, exclusive merchandise, and signed items. Additionally, during the pandemic and until 2021, Nancy hosted a weekly radio show called Nancy for Frank, where she shared personal anecdotes about her life and her relationship with her late father.
