What you need to know
Pat Montandon, the television host, activist and socialite who famously once dated Frank Sinatra, has died. She was 96 years old.
Montandon’s son, Sean Wilsey, announced his mother’s death in a post on Montandon’s Facebook page, sharing that his mother passed away on December 21 at a senior living facility in Palm Desert, California.
“For the past few months, my mother has been living at De Anza House. It’s a really clean and peaceful elderly care facility,” the post began. “She has been cared for with great love and dignity by her dear friend Melissa Aaron, who lives nearby, and a very kind group of staff.
Mr Wilsey said his mother had “stopped eating” over the past week and “stopped drinking after a few days”.
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“Her beloved, long-time friend Susan Gold drove down from Los Angeles to be with her immediately. I flew in from New York yesterday and spent the night by her side. She passed away this morning, but last month I was able to meet her two grandchildren, Owen Wilsey and Mila Wilsey.”
“She passed away surrounded by love,” he added.
Montandon was born in Oklahoma in 1928. According to ABC 7, she moved to San Francisco in the 1960s, where she was known for her lavish parties featuring Andy Warhol and the Gettys.
She worked as a model, TV presenter, and columnist for many years before founding a peace organization called Children as Teachers for Peace. According to the outlet, she has made 37 international trips on behalf of the organization.
Montandon, who has been married and divorced four times, is also known for a brief relationship with legendary singer Sinatra, according to the Los Angeles Time.
