Iconic California socialite and television personality Pat Montandon has died at the age of 96. 

Montandon, who The San Francisco Chronicle famously dubbed 'blonde beauty,' captured the hearts of the city in the 1960s and 1970s with an extravagant lifestyle filled with lavish parties and elite luncheons attended by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra.

Moving to the Bay Area with just $400 to her name, she built a multifaceted career as an author, gossip columnist, activist, philanthropist and beloved television host. 

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

'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 wrote.

'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.