Tatjana Patitz - best known for her cameo in one of George Michael's music videos - has passed away at the age of 56.
The late star - who was one of the top supermodels of the 1980s and 1990s - died recently according her agents who confirmed the sad news today.
Tatjana appeared in George Michael's iconic music video for his hit song Freedom in 1990, alongside her fashion peers Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington - with Cindy paying tribute to her late friend this evening.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour described the Hamburg born beauty as "the European symbol of chic" when paying tribute to Tatjana today, as the fashionista's flagship publication broke the news.
The late model's agent at the Model CoOp in New York City confirmed Tatjana had died 'recently' to publications this morning, but a cause of death has not yet been made public.
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Tatjana Patitz in the video for George Michael's music video for his hit single Freedom in 1990 (georgemichael/Youtube)"So sad to hear of the passing of the beautiful @tatjanapatitz," supermodel Cindy wrote to her Instagram followers this evening, as she shared a throwback snap of herself posing alongside Tatjana.
She went on to add: "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."
"Tatjana was always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti," the global editorial director of Vogue Anna Wintour remembered when paying tribute this morning.
"She was far less visible than her peers—more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable—and that had its own appeal."
Tatjana was a cover model for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire, and modelled for Versace and Chanel.
The late star was one of several supermodel's to cameo in the singer's iconic music video (georgemichael/Youtube)Speaking in a Vogue 1988 profile, Tatjana said: “people always said that I looked special; that I didn’t look like anyone else. And I was going to make it because of that.”
As well as George Micheal's Freedom, which saw her and her model co-star dubbed the 'supermodels of the 1990s', Tatjana also appeared in the video for Duran Duran's Skin Trade.
In 1993, she appeared as a murder victim in the Seann Connery film Rising Sun.
Tatjana dated famous men including musician Seal and former James Bond Pierce Brosnan and singer Nick Kamen.
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Tatjana Patitz walks the runway at the Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1991 (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
The model's death was confirmed by her agent's this morning (Contour by Getty Images)In 2019 she stormed the catwalk at Milan, dressed by Etro.
Her last Instagram post was from August, when she posted two pictures of her dogs Matilda and Gabby, calling them "the best".
Born in Hamberg, and then moving with her family to Sweden, aged 17 Tatjana entered a model contest in Stocholm, where she placed third in Sweden.
Tatjana Patitz walks the runway at the Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1991-1992 fashion show (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
The model at Paris Fashion week in 1992 (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)Her award was a trip to Paris and limited-time contract, however success did come automatically, and she found no work for a year.
In 1990, she appeared in British Vogue's supermodels cover, shot by Peter Lindberg, which was spotted by George Michael who invited Patitz and her co-stars to lip sync in the music video to Freedom.
Fans of the beauty shared their grief over the sad news, with one person saying on Twitter:"Can’t believe Tatjana Patitz is gone! One of the first Supermodels. R.I.P."
The supermodel in 2012 (Getty Images for WMF)
Tatjana in October last year (Getty Images)Another wrote: "Wow. An icon of beauty and fashion. RIP Tatjana Patitz."
A third person said: "Devastating news - will always remember her in George Michael’s Freedom video."
Following the news of the model's death, the Peter Lindbergh Foundation, paid tribute to the Tatjana on its official Twitter account, writing: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tatjana Patitz, a long-time friend of Peter’s.
"We would like to salute Tatjana’s kindness, inner beauty and outstanding intelligence.
"Our thoughts go to her loved ones and particularly Jonah.
"She will be immensely missed."
Tatjana had a son, Jonah, who she shared with ex husband Jason Johnson, and in 2012 they were pictured at their home in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Last year she said of her son: “Jonah is my source of happiness.”
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