Socialite and oil heiress Patty Davis Raynes was found dead in her Wellington, Florida home near Palm Beach by her housekeeper on Thursday, according to Page Six.
Raynes was 70 at the time of her death. No cause of death was given, but family members believe she died from complications of asthma.
An autopsy is underway to give a conclusive reason for her death.
Her mother, Barbara Davis, said, “On behalf of the Davis family, we are heartbroken by the untimely passing of our dear Patty Davis Raynes. I’m devastated to share that my daughter passed away earlier today after suffering from an asthma infection. Patty left a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled. We appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and respect for privacy during the unimaginable time.”
Raynes was the daughter of oil tycoon Martin Davis, who died in 2004. At one time, the family was worth billions, but much of that wealth was lost before Davis's death, including money that Raynes said was taken out of a trust in her name.
At the height of his wealth, Davis owned 20th Century Fox, Aspen Ski Company, the Beverly Hills Hotel, and other properties. The Davis family was partially the inspiration for the Carrington family on the 1980s soap, Dynasty.
Still, she was able to pursue her passion of riding horses, and was still able to jump three feet while riding even though not many her age could do so.
Raynes was married to Martin Raynes in 1983, and she had a son Nick. She later divorced, and her son Nick died of a drug overdose in 2017 at age 33.
Nick's death and that of her nephew Jason, 35, from a fentanyl overdose in 2020 led Patty to reconcile with her family, including mother Barbara and sister Nancy, after years of estrangement.
A spokesperson for Raynes said she had been experiencing severe asthma recently and was hospitalized a week before her death for shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
Her sister Nancy was asking for more information about Patty's whereabouts and activities in the week or two before her death.
Raynes' best friend Anna Rothschild said that Raynes texted her about coming to New York City just before her death, and that she was excited to visit.
But Rothschild said Raynes didn't answer her phone on Tuesday or Wednesday, which was unusual for her.
“She was talking about being in the city for May and June, and then spending a little time in the Hamptons and upstate,” another friend and fellow equestrian Alex Hamer said.
