Pat Montandon, the legendary California socialite, television personality, and cultural icon famously dubbed the “blonde beauty,” has passed away at the age of 96.
Her son, Sean Wilsey, shared the news in an emotional Facebook post last week, revealing the intimate final moments spent with his mother.
Sean wrote, “My mom stopped eating a week ago and drinking a few days later. I flew from New York to be at her side and spent the night with her. She passed away this morning, surrounded by love, and was able to see her two grandchildren, Owen and Mira Wilsey, last month. They called her last night, and it was clear she heard them.”
While the exact cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed, Pat Montandon’s remarkable life continues to inspire admiration and nostalgia.
Pat Montandon’s journey from modest beginnings to high society legend is the stuff of cinematic lore. Arriving in the San Francisco Bay Area with just $400, she carved a multifaceted career as an author, gossip columnist, activist, philanthropist, and television host.
During the 1960s and 1970s, she became a household name, hosting shows such as The Prize Movie and The Pat Montandon Show on KGO-TV, where she skillfully reviewed films while offering witty and insightful commentary on society and celebrity culture.
Beyond the small screen, Montandon was celebrated for her glamorous lifestyle and legendary social gatherings.
Her parties, attended by Hollywood legends including Frank Sinatra, cemented her status as one of San Francisco’s most admired and flamboyant personalities.
Pat Montandon leaves behind a legacy defined by charisma, elegance, and a fearless pursuit of the spotlight an enduring emblem of California glamour and cultural sophistication.
