Georgina Cooper’s cause of death revealed: Supermodel who lit up the nineties died suddenly on Greek island getaway aged 46
Nineties supermodel Georgina Cooper died of cirrhosis of the liver and internal bleeding after her organs failed, it has emerged.
Georgina – who used her married name Smith – died after falling ill on October 21 on the Greek island of Kos, a place she had visited for 20 years, aged just 46.
She had been on holiday with her partner Nigel and was initially rushed to a local hospital before being flown to a better equipped medical facility in Heraklion, Crete, where she died after spending five days in intensive care.
A local coroner said no autopsy was necessary because her “medical history was known” and her body was flown back to England a few days after her death.
A hospital spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘The doctors did what they could but due to her condition not much could be done.
‘She died of cirrhosis of the liver and internal bleeding after her organs failed. The coroner ruled that an autopsy was not necessary because her medical history was known.
‘Her body was moved from Venizelou Hospital in Heraklion on the other side of the city to another facility before being flown back to Britain.’
Pictured in 2003, Georgina was one of the most famous faces of the 1990s
Georgina Cooper on her wedding day earlier this year. The former model died abroad with her husband at the age of 46
Jade Parfitt revealed on Instagram that her friend had died
Georgina – who used her married name Smith – died after falling ill on the Greek island of Kos on October 21 (aerial view of the island’s city centre)
Georgina’s family and friends plan to say an emotional farewell at a funeral service next week.
They will meet next Wednesday to pay their respects at Vinters Park Crematorium near her home in Maidstone, Kent.
Nigel and her other family members are still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Sources said they want the service to be a worthy show of love for the Cool Britannia icon, whose friends included catwalk star Kate Moss.
One said: ‘Everything is raw but she was very loved. She was unpretentious – no heirs and graces.’
Supermodels Jade Parfitt, Helena Christensen, Erin O’Connor and Jodie Kidd paid tribute to the ‘ray of light’ whose ‘achievements were enormous’.
Jade told MailOnline: ‘Her friends and family are absolutely devastated, Georgina was a ray of light, a very popular model who was loose fun, always laughing and naughty in the best of ways.
“We all wanted to hang out with George backstage. Her achievements in the industry have been enormous.”
Her former agent Dean Goodman added: “She was the original gap-toothed girl! I will miss her dearly, rest in peace Georgie girl.
“I will never forget you and always love you, see you on the other side.”
2000: Model Georgina Cooper on the catwalk
Georgina Cooper, centre, on the catwalk with Julien MacDonald in 2000
Her former agent Dean Goodman shared a tribute at the time of her death, saying he and many others are heartbroken
1997: Georgina at the Bluemarine Falls show
2000: Georgina Cooper on the Versace catwalk
Georgina and her husband Nigel on their wedding day in June
Jade said she was a ‘ray of sunshine’
Georgina Cooper, pictured at the Destino in London at the height of her career in the 1990s and more recently, has died aged 46.
He continued, “She had plans for the future. She had just gotten married and was looking forward to her life. Everyone is devastated. She was a real superstar.’
Georgina rose to fame after being spotted by a modeling agency at the age of 13 and appearing in a Bon Jovi music video two years later.
The London-born cover girl was dubbed London’s ‘original gap-toothed girl’ and appeared on the cover of magazines such as American Vogue and The Face.
But she gave up the catwalk to care for her son Sonny and lately worked in the hospitality industry, including several pubs near her home.
Her most recent job was at Fox & Goose, the country pub where her dream wedding took place in May this year.
She fell ill while the couple were staying at Kos’ Marianna hotel apartments and was taken to the island’s main hospital.
Mr Goodman said: “Georgina had been unwell during Covid and had developed some health problems and had been in and out of hospital. ‘
A source in Kos said: ‘She fell ill the day before she was due to fly home.
“Georgina loved Greece and always came here, but she had health problems and was sick once while she was here.”
According to the NHS website, cirrhosis of the liver is caused by long-term liver damage and the scar tissue prevents the liver from working properly.