British model Stella Tennant dies at the age of 50
British model Stella Tennant has died suddenly at the age of just 50, it has been confirmed.
Her family confirmed the sad news to the PA news agency saying: "It is with great sadness we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant on 22nd December 2020.
"Stella was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed."
Scottish-born Tennant was one of Britain's best-known and most successful models having begun her career in the 1990s as a contemporary of major names such as Kate Moss, Erin O'Connor and Naomi Campbell.
O'Connor paid tribute to her friend and fellow model with a post on Instagram, saying simply: "I LOVE you Stella. Sleep tight."
Tennant has appeared in numerous high profile campaigns and on catwalks for brands such as Chanel, Calvin Klein, Alexander McQueen, Burberry and, more recently, Victoria Beckham. Latterly Tennant had been an activist and advocate for more sustainable living.
Born in December 1970, Tennant is the granddaughter of granddaughter of Andrew Cavendish, the 11th Duke of Devonshire and Deborah Mitford. In the early 90s, her pixie haircut, nose piercing and statuesque frame epitomised a new era of androgyny in fashion and she landed her first Vogue shoot in 1993 having been scouted by photographer Steven Meisel.
Tennant had been married to French photographer David Lasnet, but the couple split earlier this year. They had four children, Marcel, Cecily, Jasmine and Iris.
Police confirmed they had been called to Tennant's home in Duns on Tuesday after the sudden death of a 50-year-old woman and said there had been no suspicious circumstances surrounding her passing.
"Her family ask for their privacy to be respected. Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced at a later date," her family's statement added.
