Stella Tennant’s family have revealed she took her own life after struggling with mental health problems.
The supermodel was found dead at her home in Duns, Scotland on 22 December, days after celebrating her 50th birthday.
In a statement released to The Telegraph, her family said that Tennant had felt “unable to go on” after being “unwell for some time.”
They said that they had been “humbled” by the “outpouring” of support since Tennant’s death, and described the model as “a beautiful soul, adored by a close family and good friends, a sensitive and talented woman whose creativity, intelligence and humour touched so many”. They requested privacy.
Tennant first broke into modelling in 1993, aged 23, posing for magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and became known for her androgynous looks and iconic pixie crop haircut.
She later appeared in advertising campaigns for the likes of Calvin Klein, Chanel, Hermes, and Burberry and became the “face of Chanel” in the Nineties, when Karl Lagerfeld noted her resemblance to Coco Chanel.
Retiring in 1998 when she fell pregnant with her first child, Tennant later returned to the runway and worked on several campaigns behind the camera. In 2001 she was named Vogue Model of the Year and in 2011, Model of the Year at the British fashion Awards.
In 2012 she appeared in the closing ceremony of the London Olympics alongside Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.
Tennant is survived by her former husband David Lasnet and their four children, Marcel, Cecily, Jasmine, and Iris, who are aged 15 to 22.
Edward Enninful OBE, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, described Tennant as “the ultimate chameleon” and said: “I am greatly saddened by her loss – she is utterly irreplaceable.”
Fashion house Versace also paid tribute on Twitter, saying: "Versace is mourning the death of Stella Tennant.
“Stella was Gianni Versace's muse for many years and friend of the family. We will miss you forever Stella. Rest In Peace.”
If you are struggling to cope, please call Samaritans free on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org or visit the Samaritans website to find details of the nearest branch.
