Tatjana Patitz, one of the original supermodels of the '80s and '90s, dies at age 56

Tatjana Patitz, one of an elite group of famed supermodels who graced magazine covers in the 1980s and '90s, has died at age 56. (Fabian Bimmer/AP)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Tatjana Patitz, one of an elite group of famed supermodels who graced magazine covers in the 1980s and '90s and appeared in George Michael's "Freedom! '90" music video, has died at age 56.

Patitz's death in the Santa Barbara, California, area was confirmed by her New York agent, Corinne Nicolas, at the Model CoOp agency. Nicolas said the cause was illness, but did not have further details.