Tatjana Patitz, the German-born supermodel who dominated the 1980s and ‘90s as one of her industry’s biggest and most-marketable stars, died of an undisclosed illness, her agent confirmed. She was 56.

During her prolific career, Patitz modeled for Vogue, Tiffany’s, Chanel, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle. She became a frequent subject of famed photographer Peter Lindberg and appeared alongside other world-famous catwalk stars in George Michael’s “Freedom! ‘90” music video.

Vogue described Patitz as one of the “original” supermodels. The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, called her “the European symbol of chic.”

“She was far less visible than her peers — more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable — and that had its own appeal,” Wintour said.

The blue-eyed Patitz mostly grew up in Sweden and later lived in California. She was 17 when she took part in her first modeling contest, according to People.

She famously starred with fellow supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista in Michael’s “Freedom ‘90″ music video.

Her era of supermodels succeeded because they brought “glamour” into their work, Patitz reportedly told the magazine Prestige Hong Kong in 2006.

“Now the celebrities and actresses have taken over, and the models are in the backseat completely,” Patitz was quoted as saying.

“Women were healthy, not these scrawny little models that nobody knows their names anymore.”

Patitz walked in an Etro show at Milan Fashion Week in 2019, reportedly marking her final runway appearance.

With News Wire Services

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