Appeared in Elvis Presley's last film, Change of Habit (1969), playing a nun in street clothes alongside Mary Tyler Moore.
Co-authored a book with Stephen Lewis entitled "The Complete Book of Beauty for the Black Woman"
During her career Barbara experienced racism from time to time. When she appeared in "No Strings", a musical by Richard Rodgers set in Paris in which a black fashion model falls in love with a white novelist, she endured obscene phone calls and hate mail. She once walked out of an establishment in Miami that offered her a room but forbade her to swim in the hotel pool. A few times she was forced to eat in the employees' dining room at hotels she was appearing in.
Had a hit record "Bobby" with Coral Records.
Has a sister, Jacqueline Gaither.
In the early 70s, her life was turned upside down when her TV variety show was cancelled, she was out of recording contracts, no film work was available, and her husband was shot and killed.
Mafia boss-turned-FBI-informant Jimmy "The Weasel" Frattiano wrote in his book, "The Last Mafioso", that McNair's late husband, Rick Manzi, was a Mafia associate who tried to put a contract on the life of a mob-associated tax attorney with whom he had a legal dispute, but he was murdered in 1976 before the contract was fulfilled.
She and Richard Manzie, her manager/husband, were charge in 1972 with heroin possession. The news damaged Barbara's career although she was later cleared of the charge.
She was once voted one of the most beautiful women in the world.
Toured frequently with Nat 'King' Cole in the 1960s.
Went to UCLA for a year before going to New York.
Within a span of four years experienced the losses of her mother - Claudie McNair (August 1976), husband - Rick Manzie (December 15, 1976), mother-in-law - Pearl Manzie (June 1977), and father - Horace McNair (November 1979).
Won "Talent Scouts" (1948) (aka "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts") by singing "Lullaby of Broadway."