Model-actress Tatjana Patitz has died at the age of 56 after her battle with breast cancer.
In an Instagram post, model Eva Herzigova writes, “An angel has left us, Tatjana Patitz…hearing about your passing is the saddest news I could have imagined…I miss you dearly RIP.”
Fellow model Cindy Crawford posted on her Instagram account as well, saying, “So sad to hear of the passing of the beautiful @tatjanapatitz. We were babies together in the fashion industry and I feel like we grew up together. We were in so many shoots together and backstage at shows. I found her soft-spoken, sensitive, kind, inquisitive and, who could ever forget those piercing eyes. Her love of animals and nature was infectious. Sending my condolences to her family — especially the son she adored. RIP.”
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Patitz initially rose to fame as one of the original supermodels who defined magazine covers in the 1980s and 1990s.
The industry legend also famously appeared in George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” music video, alongside Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford.
The German-born supermodel grew up in Sweden and thrived in California. She worked with the likes of fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh and landed covers like British Vogue’s 1990 issue.
“There was a real era, and the reason that happened was because glamour was brought into it… Now the celebrities and actresses have taken over, and the models are in the backseat completely,” Patitz said in 2006.
The late figure described herself as an environmental crusader, animal lover, and lover of nature.
Banner Photo by Peter Lindbergh via Wikimedia Commons.