Natalie Oglesby Skalla may be the daughter of Frank Sinatra Jr., but her life has been far from the glitzy Hollywood scene often associated with the Sinatra name. Instead, Natalie chose a path grounded in service and compassion, dedicating her life to helping others through therapeutic horseback riding. In this article, we’ll explore the unique life of Natalie Oglesby Skalla, her family background, and the legacy of her famous father, Frank Sinatra Jr.
Early Life and Family Background
Natalie Oglesby Skalla was born to Frank Sinatra Jr. and Mary Sue Oglesby. Frank Sinatra Jr., the son of the legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, had a challenging upbringing, constantly living in the shadow of his father’s stardom. Despite the pressures of fame, Frank Jr. carved out a career in the entertainment industry, but his personal life remained more private, particularly his relationship with Natalie.
Natalie’s maternal side of the family had a significant influence on her values. Her grandfather, Gerald Joseph Oglesby, served as a firefighter in Los Angeles for over 30 years, while her mother, Mary Sue Oglesby, worked in pediatric oncology as a nurse. These roles inspired Natalie to dedicate her life to helping others, a passion that would later define her career in therapeutic riding.
A Career in Therapeutic Riding
What is Therapeutic Riding?
Therapeutic riding involves using horseback activities to aid in the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of individuals with disabilities. The practice helps improve muscle symmetry, posture, balance, coordination, and confidence in riders.
Natalie’s Journey into Therapeutic Riding
Despite her connection to a famous family, Natalie Oglesby Skalla has led a life of quiet dedication to helping others. She became a therapeutic riding instructor, assisting individuals with various conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, and traumatic brain injuries. Her work involves monitoring the rider’s movement, balance, and engagement during horseback activities to ensure safety and achieve therapeutic goals.
Natalie’s work as an instructor has made a significant impact on countless lives, helping riders improve their physical and cognitive abilities. Her dedication to therapeutic riding is a reflection of the values her maternal family instilled in her: a lifelong commitment to service.
Personal Life and Family
In 1991, Natalie married Brian Skalla, an engineer and owner of an engineering company. The couple has two daughters, Morgan and Avery, and together they have maintained a relatively private family life. While balancing her career and raising her daughters, Natalie continued working part-time at various Southern California facilities, including the Equestrian Helpers Therapeutic Riding Center in Burbank.
Today, Natalie enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and still dedicates time to her passion for therapeutic riding, despite being of retirement age. Her work continues to inspire others, and she actively participates in raising awareness about therapeutic riding’s benefits.
Frank Sinatra Jr.: A Career Overshadowed by a Legend
Early Life and Background
Frank Sinatra Jr. was born on January 10, 1944, into one of the most famous families in the world. As the son of legendary singer Frank Sinatra, he grew up surrounded by music and entertainment. Despite his father’s fame, Frank Jr. led a life often in the shadow of his iconic parent.
Frank Jr.’s musical career began in the early 1960s when he started performing in clubs, following in his father’s footsteps. While he was never able to escape comparisons to his father, Frank Jr. developed a respectable career in the music industry, working as a singer, songwriter, and conductor.
The Infamous Kidnapping Incident
One of the most defining moments of Frank Sinatra Jr.’s life occurred in December 1963, when he was kidnapped at the age of 19. The ordeal lasted two days, with his father paying a ransom of $240,000 to secure his release. The incident made national headlines, and although Frank Jr. survived, it had a lasting impact on him, adding to the pressure of living up to the Sinatra name.
Music Career and Legacy
While Frank Jr. never reached the same level of fame as his father, he had a steady career as a musician. He released several albums, including “Spice” and “That Face!”, and worked as a conductor for his father’s performances in later years. Frank Jr. also made television appearances, including on shows like “Family Guy” and “The Sopranos.”
In interviews, Frank Jr. often spoke about the challenges of being born into fame, stating that it was difficult to find his own identity in the shadow of his father. Despite this, he remained dedicated to preserving his father’s musical legacy. Frank Jr. passed away on March 16, 2016, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy as both a musician and a custodian of the Sinatra family name.
Net Worth
At the time of his death, Frank Sinatra Jr. had a net worth of approximately $50 million. His wealth came from his music career, television appearances, and managing his father’s estate. However, compared to his father’s immense fortune, Frank Jr. preferred to live a more private and less extravagant lifestyle.
Conclusion
Natalie Oglesby Skalla’s life offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to be part of a famous family. Instead of seeking the spotlight, she chose a career that allows her to help others, following in the compassionate footsteps of her maternal family. Her father, Frank Sinatra Jr., also lived a life defined by music and fame, but always in the shadow of his legendary father.
Natalie’s story is one of quiet dedication and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Through her work in therapeutic riding, she has found fulfillment in helping individuals with disabilities achieve physical and mental goals. In contrast, Frank Sinatra Jr.’s life was filled with the pressures of fame, but he still managed to leave a lasting impact on the world of music.
FAQs
1. What is Natalie Oglesby Skalla known for?
Natalie Oglesby Skalla is known for her work as a therapeutic riding instructor, helping individuals with disabilities improve their physical and mental well-being through horseback riding activities.
2. How is Natalie Oglesby Skalla related to Frank Sinatra Jr.?
Natalie Oglesby Skalla is the daughter of Frank Sinatra Jr. and Mary Sue Oglesby.
3. What is therapeutic riding?
Therapeutic riding involves using horseback riding to assist individuals with disabilities in improving their muscle symmetry, balance, coordination, and confidence.
4. What happened to Frank Sinatra Jr.?
Frank Sinatra Jr. passed away on March 16, 2016, at the age of 72. He was a musician and conductor who lived much of his life in the shadow of his famous father.
5. What is Frank Sinatra Jr.’s net worth?
At the time of his death, Frank Sinatra Jr. had a net worth of approximately $50 million, accumulated from his music career and managing his father’s estate.
