Model Stella Tennant Dies Suddenly at Age 50
Her family confirmed the news in a statement.
British model Stella Tennant died on December 22 at the age of 50. Her family confirmed the news in a statement provided to the press: “It is with great sadness we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant. Stella was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed,” they wrote, requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Tennant was the granddaughter of the 11th Duke of Devonshire, Andrew Cavendish. Before modeling, she attended Winchester School of Art and sought to pursue a career in sculpture. She shifted her focus to modeling in the early ’90s, when she caught the attention of photographers and designers such as Steven Meisel and Karl Lagerfeld — who later made her the face of Chanel, citing her resemblance to founder Coco — with her androgynous look and septum piercing. The model also worked closely with Burberry, appearing regularly in campaigns and runway shows for the British label. In 1998, Tennant, pregnant with her first child, stepped back from fashion. In 1999, she married photographer David Lasnet, whom she met on a photoshoot in New York. The two had four children together, who are now in their teens and early twenties.
Scottish officials told BBC that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Tennant’s death.
