Tatjana Patitz was one of the original supermodels who rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Died: January 11, 2023 (Who else died on January 11?)
- Details of death: Died in California of breast cancer at the age of 56.
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Supermodel
A native of Germany, Patitz began modeling as a teen in the early ‘80s. Her profile rose when she was photographed by Peter Lindbergh (1944–2019) in 1988 and again in 1990 for a famous British Vogue cover shoot. The five models on that Vogue cover went on to star in the video for the George Michael (1963–2016) song “Freedom! ’90.” The video was influential and helped launch the era of the supermodel. The tall and curvy Patitz became a symbol of statuesque beauty at a time when waifish models were popular. She modeled widely for fashion houses including Chanel, Versace, and Valentino, as well as on magazine covers and in commercials for Revlon, Levi, Pantene, and other brands. After studying acting while she worked as a model, Patitz appeared in movies including “Rising Sun” and “Restraining Order.”
Notable quote
“My advice for young women in modeling is to have fun! Be creative and inspired. Follow your gut. If you have other passions in life, nurture them because the modeling business can have some dry spells here and there.” —from an interview for As If
Tributes to Tatjana Patitz
Full obituary: Vogue
