TV Host and Socialite Who Dated Frank Sinatra Was 96

Pat Montandon, the TV host, activist and socialite who once famously dated Frank Sinatra, has died. She was 96.

Montandon’s son, Sean Wilsey, announced the news of her death in a post on the star’s Facebook page, sharing that his mother died in an elder care facility in Palm Desert, Calif., on Dec. 21.

“For the last few months my mom has been living at De Anza House, a truly immaculate and serene elder care home,” the post began. “She has been attended to with great love and dignity by her dear friend Melissa Aaron, who lives nearby, and a group of deeply kind staff members. 

Wilsey shared that his mother has “stopped eating” the previous week and “stopped drinking a few days later.”

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He continued, “Her beloved longtime friend Susan Gold drove out from LA to be with her immediately. I flew out from New York yesterday and spent the night at her side. She passed away this morning but was able to see her two grandchildren, Owen and Mira Wilsey, last month.”

“She passed surrounded by love,” he added.

Montandon was born in Oklahoma in 1928. She relocated to San Francisco in the 1960s, where she was known for her lavish parties featuring the likes of Andy Warhol and the Gettys, per ABC 7. 

Over the years she worked as a model, television host and columnist, and later went on to found a peace group called Children as Teachers for Peace. She made 37 international trips on the organization’s behalf, per the outlet. 

Montandon, who was married and divorced four times, was also known for briefly dating legendary singer Sinatra, per the Los Angeles Time.