Tatjana Patitz Net Worth

Tatjana Patitz was a German model and actress who had an estimated net worth of $14 million at the time of her death.

Patitz began modeling as a teenager and rose to international fame in the 1980s. Over the course of her career, she appeared on more than 200 magazine covers, including editions of Vogue in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

She was widely regarded as one of the “Original Supermodels,” alongside Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington.

All five famously appeared together in Freedom! ’90, the music video by George Michael. In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked the video No. 11 on its list of “The 100 Greatest Music Videos.”

Sadly, Patitz died on January 11, 2023, at the age of 56.

Early Life

Tatjana Patitz was born on May 25, 1966, in Hamburg.

She grew up in Skanör, where she spent much of her childhood. Because her father worked as a travel journalist, Patitz and her family had the opportunity to live in different countries.

Her mother was a dancer who performed at the famous Le Lido in Paris.

At the age of seven, Patitz learned how to ride horses. While spending time at the family’s summer home in Mallorca, she attended horse camps and developed a strong love for horseback riding. She later said she associated the activity with “freedom, connectedness, and dedication.”

Modeling Career

Patitz’s modeling career began when she entered the Elite Model Look competition in 1983 at the age of 17, where she finished in third place.

Soon after signing a modeling contract, she moved to Paris. In 1985, she appeared on her first major magazine cover for the British edition of Vogue.

During that same year, Patitz began working with renowned fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, who admired her natural beauty and distinctive look.

Her career quickly expanded as she appeared in leading magazines including Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar.

An iconic photograph of Patitz taken by Irving Penn, titled “Colored Contact Lenses,” appeared in a 1985 issue of Vogue and was later featured in the book On the Edge: Images from 100 Years of Vogue.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, Patitz became a major figure in high fashion. She walked the runway and appeared in advertising campaigns for major fashion houses including:

• Versace
• Chanel
• Valentino
• Donna Karan
• Karl Lagerfeld
• Vivienne Westwood

She also became the face of fashion designer Jil Sander’s brand.

In 1992, Patitz signed a cosmetics contract with Germaine Monteil, further boosting her profile in the beauty industry.

Her modeling career continued into the 2000s. She appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar China in 2000 and later appeared in campaigns for fashion brands such as Kookai and Jigsaw.

In 2009, Patitz returned to the runway when she modeled Jean Paul Gaultier’s Hermès Fall/Winter collection.

She also participated in the “Coco on the Lido” Chanel Cruise collection show organized by Karl Lagerfeld in Venice in 2010.

Acting Career

In addition to modeling, Patitz appeared in several films and television shows.

Her acting credits included the films:

• Rising Sun
• Prêt-à-Porter
• Restraining Order

She also appeared in television series such as The Larry Sanders Show and The Single Guy.

Patitz featured in several music videos as well, including Skin Trade by Duran Duran and Make Me Bad by Korn.

Throughout her career, she also appeared in global advertising campaigns for major brands including Revlon, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s, Cartier, and Pantene.

Personal Life

Tatjana Patitz welcomed a son named Jonah in 2004. She often described her son as the greatest source of happiness in her life.

In a 2019 interview with 63Magazine, she said:

“My son is my source of happiness in life. My friends, my animals, and nature give me balance and satisfaction – the feeling of being connected…I would like to send an empathetic person with a big heart out into the world. Jonah should always have the self-belief to be himself and to embody and articulate his own attitude and opinions.”

Speaking about aging, Patitz also said:

“I am proud of my wrinkles. I worked for each one and they belong to me. Growing older is beautiful. You become wiser and more mature….Beauty means being a good person and being there for others. In my opinion, beauty is not only about looks, but everything that makes up a person.”

Patitz was also known for her love of animals. She was a vegetarian and an advocate for animal rights.

In 2007, she appeared in a public service announcement for Orangutan Outreach, which works to protect orangutans in their natural habitats in Borneo and Sumatra.