British supermodel Georgina Cooper, best known for her work in the 1990s “Cool Britannica” wave as well as a signature gap-toothed smile, died while visiting a Greek island with her husband, whom she had married just months before. She was 46.
Cooper’s friends, Jade Parfitt and Erin O’Connor, confirmed her death on social media Thursday, Nov. 8. According to the Daily Mail, Cooper died of complications apparently stemming from long COVID.
Speaking to the outlet, her former agent Dean Goodman explained that Cooper had been on the island of Kos with her new husband, Nigel, and fell ill, spending five days in intensive care before dying “a fortnight ago.”
“Georgina had been unwell during Covid and had developed some health problems and had been in and out of hospital. But she had plans for the future. She had just married and was looking forward to her life. Everybody is devastated. She was a genuine superstar,” he said.
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Cooper married her husband in June near her U.K. hometown, per the outlet’s report. The two honeymooned on the island of Kos.
Fellow model Parfitt shared on her Instagram account that Cooper was: “One of the funniest and naughtiest, never mind most beautiful friends, we all wanted to hang out with George backstage. Sending so much love to her son, family. And friends. Gone too soon.”
Meanwhile, O’Connor, another modeling peer, mourned, “You were an incredibly kind and funny human-being, Georgina. I/we all admired and loved you so much for the warmth, generosity and gentle mischief you brought to the world. Many years have passed since we (our little 90’s britannia pack) hung out together during the mad carousel era known as ‘show season’ – but you ALWAYS stuck out to me for keeping it real and being proud of who you were.”
Cooper first drew attention by appearing at age 15 in a Bon Jovi music video, before going on to model alongside some of the ’90s biggest names and appearing on the covers of such publications as Vogue and The Face. She was close with fellow Brit supermodel Kate Moss, and worked for brands such as Alexander McQueen, Burberry and Stella McCartney. Known as the “original gap-toothed girl,” her distinctive smile was a defining feature.
“She was so much fun,” Carole White, a former model agency executive, said to WWD. “When she was young, she made a lot of money and she had this very edgy streak that was of the time. Everyone found the gap between her teeth quite amazing.”
Cooper quit modeling after the birth of her son, Sonny, in order to focus on her family.
Cooper is survived by her husband and son.
