Hilton's publicist, Edward Lozzi, said the cause of death was "an apparent stroke/heart attack," KABC-TV reported.
She was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
"As Francesca's publicist and one of her best friends I am shocked," Lozzi said, according to USA Today. "We were on the phone minutes before she died. We were discussing her book she was writing and a possible deal. She had to go to the restroom. She never made it out. I am so sad about my friend."
Hilton’s full name was Constance Francesca Gabor Hilton. Her 97-year-old mother is suffering from dementia, and Hilton has been battling her stepfather, Frederic von Anhalt, over Zsa Zsa Gabor’s finances and care, USA Today reported. Hours before her death, Hilton was reportedly discussing legal options with her lawyer after von Anhalt told her she would no longer be allowed in the house to see her mother.
Hilton was with her fiancé, Michael Natsis, at the time of her death. He administered CPR with paramedics.
Hilton’s father died in 1979, leaving his daughter $100,000, while the majority of his multimillion-dollar estate went to his foundation, People magazine reported.
Hilton worked as a photographer and actress and once dated actor Peter Sellers, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Her roles included a small part in the 1971 film "A Safe Place," starring Jack Nicholson. She once had a summer job taking reservations at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, the Times said.
