Tatjana Patitz

Patitz rose to prominence as part of the group known as 'The Big 10,' which included icons like Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. She appeared on more than 200 magazine covers, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, W, and Cosmopolitan. Her breakthrough came with Peter Lindbergh's 1988 'White Shirts' shoot for Vogue, and she starred in George Michael's 'Freedom! '90' video. She worked for major brands like Chanel, Calvin Klein, Revlon, and Cartier, and walked runways for Versace, Jil Sander, and Chloé. Patitz remained active in fashion until her passing, with notable work for Vogue Italia in 2019 and Chanel in 2020. She was a favorite of photographers like Lindbergh and Herb Ritts, known for her natural, unretouched beauty. She was also featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 2009 exhibition 'The Model as Muse.'

Beyond modeling, Patitz had a few acting roles, including appearances in 'Rising Sun' (1993) and 'Ready to Wear' (1994). She was married to businessman Jason Johnson from 2003 to 2006, and they had a son, Jonah, born in 2004. Patitz raised Jonah as a single mother in Malibu, California. She was an advocate for environmental causes and supported PETA and wildlife conservation. Patitz died on January 11, 2023, at age 56, from metastatic breast cancer in Santa Barbara, California. Her legacy as a supermodel and her commitment to natural beauty continue to be celebrated.