Model Jan de Souza has passed away at the age of 81.
The media personality, who became a popular figure in the 1960s society, was married to Tramp nightclub founder Johnny Gold for 50 years.
He died in October last year, dying of unknown causes.
Life without her Johnny “was too much” for Jan, her son Nick Gold told The Times and she “died of loneliness” on June 11, 2022, following a battle with cancer.
Nick told the publication: “My darling mother has taken her last breath and joined my dad in heaven.
“I am sad and happy at the same time as this is what she wanted.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Life without her soulmate and partner was too much. Now they can be together for eternity.”
When at art school, Jan, who remained a keen amateur painter throughout her life, started modelling and was noticed by Quant.
Jan’s modelling assignments included posing with David Bowie in a West End alley in 1965.
The musician was still using his birth name of David Jones and the duo were modelling outfits for the teen magazine Fabulous 208.
(Image: Getty Images)
She was also often pictured with mentor Mary Quant, who helped popularise hot pants and miniskirts.
Despite her popularity in the modelling industry, Jan retired in 1971 when she tied the knot with her husband Johnny.
Johnny had launched Tramp in Jermyn Street two years earlier and it soon became one of the British capital’s most lavish nightclubs, boasting a host of wealthy, A-lister guests.
(Image: Getty Images)
Jan became friends with everyone, including Dame Joan Collins Sir Michael Caine and Sir Rod Stewart.
The couple ran the nightclub as a family business until 1998, when it was sold by Johnny.
Jan and her husband retired to the Bahamas in 2003.
The couple had an on-and-off again relationship in the early 1960s until Jan briefly moved to Australia after becoming irritated by Johnny’s lack of commitment.
Johnny soon pleaded with her to return to London and the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before the nightclub founder’s death in 2021.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
