Pat Montandon, a legendary figure in California’s social scene and a well-known television personality, has passed away at the venerable age of 96. Her vibrant presence captivated the hearts of San Francisco during the 1960s and 1970s, a period when her glamorous lifestyle became the stuff of local legend.

Dubbed the “blonde beauty” by The San Francisco Chronicle, Montandon was renowned for hosting opulent parties and elite luncheons that drew in a constellation of stars, including the likes of Frank Sinatra. Her life was a remarkable journey of success and reinvention.

Arriving in the Bay Area with a mere $400 to her name, Montandon carved out a dynamic career for herself. She wore many hats, thriving as an author, gossip columnist, activist, philanthropist, and cherished television host. Her multifaceted contributions left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of her adopted home.

The sad news of her passing was relayed by her son, Sean Wilsey, who shared on Facebook that Montandon died peacefully on December 21, surrounded by loved ones. “My mom stopped eating a week ago and stopped drinking a few days later. I flew out from New York yesterday and spent the night at her side,” Wilsey recounted with touching candor.

He also noted that Montandon had the chance to see her two grandchildren, Owen and Mira Wilsey, one last time the previous month, a poignant farewell to a life that touched many.

‘She passed away this morning but was able to see her two grandchildren, Owen and Mira Wilsey, last month,’ he added.

‘Owen and Mira called and gave her their love last night, and it was clear that she heard them. She passed surrounded by love.’

While no cause of death was revealed, Wilsey said his mother had spent her final months at De Anza House in Palm Desert, which he described as a ‘truly immaculate and serene’ elder care home. 

Iconic California socialite and television personality Pat Montandon died just days before Christmas at the age of 96 

Her son, Sean Wilsey, announced on Facebook last week that Montandon died on December 21 surrounded by loved ones

Montandon captured the hearts of the Bay Area in the 1960s and 1970s with an extravagant lifestyle filled with parties and luncheons attended by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra

In 1969, Montandon tied the knot with businessman Al Wilsey, her fourth husband, and welcomed her only child, Sean, the following year

He explained that in her remaining days, Montandon was attended to ‘with great love and dignity’ by dear friends and staff members. 

Wilsey recalled that just weeks ago, on Thanksgiving, the family was sharing stories when the icon – who had mostly been listening – suddenly spoke up. 

According to her son, the socialite told the family: ‘I want you to carry on as if you weren’t afraid.’ 

‘There was no arguing with that,’ Wilsey wrote on Facebook. ‘We will.’

‘Thank you for all your support over the years. This community meant so much to her and was a source of great joy,’ he added.

Montandon was born in Texas in 1928 and later moved to Oklahoma. 

She grew up as one of eight children of an impoverished preacher during the Great Depression and escaped several unsuccessful marriages before her life took a dramatic and pivotal turn in 1960. 

At just 32, Montandon packed her bags, took what little money she had, and moved to California, where she landed a job at the upscale I. Magnin department store in Union Square.

Wilsey said his mother had spent her final months at De Anza House in Palm Desert – an elite elder care home

The star’s son said that in her remaining days, Montandon was attended to ‘with great love and dignity’ by dear friends and staff members

Montandon became a fixture in the cocktail scene. Described for decades as a vivacious blonde and stunning party girl, she caught the attention of newspapers and tabloids

Later in life, as a peace ambassador, Montandon met 26 world leaders, including the Pope and Mother Teresa, and made 37 international trips with grade-school children

‘To me, the city was a fairyland in every way. It was magical. I loved the fog rolling in,’ Montandon said about the 60s in an interview with SFist back in 2012.

‘I loved the hills, even though I had to walk a lot, which was very hard for me because I always wore high heels, like an idiot,’ she added.

‘And everywhere we’d go, we’d get dressed up. It was a really dressy city. I liked that. Hats and gloves. High-heeled shoes.’ 

CBS host Jack Hanson once said Montandon is ‘one of those people who just seems famous.’

It didn’t take long until she became a fixture of the Bay Area cocktail scene. Described for decades as a vivacious blonde and stunning party girl, she quickly caught the attention of newspapers and tabloids.  

Photos of San Francisco’s ‘Golden Girl’ at high-society events frequently flooded West Coast media, and before long, she earned the label ‘socialite.’ 

The Oakland Tribune called her ‘the Queen of the San Francisco Jet Set,’ while writer Armistead Maupin modeled the society columnist Prue Giroux in Tales of the City after her.

Montandon ventured into media in the 60s, hosting several shows – including The Prize Movie and The Pat Montandon Show on KGO-TV – where she reviewed films and discussed society and celebrity.

Montandon hosted several shows in the 60s – including The Prize Movie and The Pat Montandon Show on KGO-TV

During her career, Montandon wrote the bestselling novel How to Be a Party Girl and her memoir Oh the Hell of It All, detailing her high-society life

The Golden Girl lived on the notorious Lombard Street – dubbed the ‘crookedest street in the world’ – which she later famously claimed to be cursed

She further bolstered her resume as a gossip columnist for the San Francisco Examiner.

The Golden Girl lived on the notorious Lombard Street – dubbed the ‘crookedest street in the world’ – which she later famously claimed to be cursed. 

By the mid-1960s, Montandon was receiving hundreds of fan letters daily, all addressed to her white mansion at 1000 Lombard, from admirers across the state.

However, the 6,000-square-foot luxury apartment she rented became the scene of misfortune in 1967, when a tarot reader – angry at Montandon for being denied a drink – reportedly ‘cursed’ the home during an occult-themed party. 

Bad luck seemed to haunt the iconic address: a tiger-skin rug stolen in a burglary, an assault and kidnapping by a former boyfriend, a fire and the mysterious death of her assistant and close friend. 

The star’s marriages – and, naturally, her divorces – became a staple of newspaper columns in the years that followed, including her split from famed San Francisco lawyer Melvin Belli. 

In 1969, Montandon tied the knot with businessman Al Wilsey, her fourth husband, and welcomed her only child, Sean, the following year. 

She became known for her roundtable luncheons throughout the 70s, which regularly brought together celebrity friends such as Danielle Steel, the Gettys, Andy Warhol and Sinatra, whom she previously dated for a brief time.

Montandon further bolstered her resume as a gossip columnist for the San Francisco Examiner

The star’s marriages – and, naturally, her divorces – became a staple of newspaper columns throughout her career

The socialite also founded several other charities focused on climate action, gun control and women’s rights

In 1979, Montandon launched the Napa Valley Wine Auction, collaborated with local vintners, and gave her portion of the proceeds to two area hospitals

In 1980, her marriage took a scandalous turn when Wilsey had an affair with her best friend, Diana Dow Traina, leading to their divorce that same year. 

Despite her romantic ups and downs, Montandon stayed a California favorite with works like the bestselling novel How to Be a Party Girl and her memoir Oh the Hell of It All, detailing her high-society life.

‘I dedicated my first book to San Francisco because I felt as if – and still do – San Francisco is a living, breathing entity. It’s not like other cities. It lives,’ Montandon told SFist in 2012. 

In 1979, she launched the Napa Valley Wine Auction, collaborated with local vintners, and gave her portion of the proceeds to two area hospitals. 

In her later years, Montandon focused on humanitarian efforts as a peace ambassador, founding Children as Teachers for Peace and leading children’s delegations to meet world leaders in pursuit of the mission.

She met 26 world leaders, including the Pope and Mother Teresa, and made 37 international trips with grade-school children, earning three Nobel Peace Prize nominations along the way. 

The socialite also founded several other charities focused on climate action, gun control and women’s rights – including The Name Choice Center in 1970, which advocated for women’s legal right to retain their surnames after marriage.