Supermodel Stella Tennant who died last month at the age of 50 took her own life after struggling with mental health problems, her family have confirmed.
The aristocratic model, whose illustrious career saw her appear in numerous advertising campaigns for the likes of Calvin Klein, Chanel, Hermes, and Burberry, died at her home in Duns, Scotland, on December 22.
In a public statement, the model’s family have now said that the model, whose ‘creativity, intelligence and humour touched so many’, had been ‘unwell for some time’ and ‘felt unable to go on’.
A family spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph: ‘Stella had been unwell for some time. So, it is a matter of our deepest sorrow and despair that she felt unable to go on, despite the love of those closest to her.
Stella Tennant, who died last month at the age of 50, had been ‘unwell for some time’ and ‘felt unable to go on’, her family told The Daily Telegraph
‘In grieving Stella’s loss, her family renews a heartfelt request that respect for their privacy should continue.’
A family source also told the paper that they felt it was ‘important to raise awareness around mental health’ which was too often misunderstood.
Mrs Tennant is survived by her former husband David Lasnet and their four children, Marcel, Cecily, Jasmine, and Iris, who are aged 15 to 22.
The model was the granddaughter of Andrew Cavendish, the 11th Duke of Devonshire and Deborah Mitford, one of the well-known aristocratic siblings.
Her first shoot made the cover of British Vogue in December 1993, which Mrs Tennant later said came about ‘by accident’, and at the end of that day’s work she was asked to do a Versace campaign in Paris, which ended up as the cover of the Italian edition.
The model was known for her androgynous looks during her 1990s heyday and soon became a muse for Karl Lagerfeld, which the fashion designer attributed to her resemblance to Coco Chanel.
Mrs Tennant also appeared in numerous advertising campaigns for the likes of Calvin Klein, Chanel, Hermes, and Burberry before retiring in 1998 when she was pregnant with her first child.
The model said her first shoot for British Vogue in December 1993 came about ‘by accident’
Mrs Tennant, who was known for her androgynous looks during her 1990s heyday, became a muse for Karl Lagerfeld (pictured together in 2012)
Mrs Tennant pictured at her wedding to David Lasnet at Oxnam Kirk Church in 1999
She later returned to the runway and worked on several campaigns behind the camera.
The model also maintained a strong interest in sculpture, and ran a luxury homewares brand with her sister Issy a studio at her home in Berwickshire.
In August, it was revealed Mrs Tennant had separated from her husband David Lasnet after 21 years of marriage.
Mrs Tennant met her husband while at the height of her fame, when he was working as an assistant for Mario Testino and was assigned to a New York shoot with her.
After a high-profile society wedding, they lived together near her parents’ sprawling 16th century estate in the Scottish Borders and went on to have four children.
Mr Lasnet was later inspired to change his profession and became an osteopath after their son Marcel had whooping cough as a toddler.
Mrs Tennant was the granddaughter of Andrew Cavendish, the 11th Duke of Devonshire and Deborah Mitford, one of the well-known aristocratic siblings
This month there was an outpouring of grief in the wake of the model’s death, with former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman paying tribute to, ‘one of the loveliest people to work with and an exceptional beauty. And devoted mother. ‘
Fashion designer Stella McCartney led the tributes pouring in online for Mrs Tennant, writing: ‘My darling Stella, I f****** love you and will miss you so, so terribly. What sad, horrific news to end this already shocking year!
‘My heart goes out to your stunning family who must be in such undeserving pain. I am speechless… Rest in peace, you inspiring woman.
‘Your soul and inner beauty exceeded the external perfection, Stella. May you ride high above us all on the most perfect horse, eternally in peace.’
Elsewhere, British Vogue Editor-In-Chief Edward Enninful wrote: ‘R.I.P kind and wonderful Stella. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.’
