Nineties supermodel Georgina Cooper died from cirrhosis of the liver and internal bleeding after her organs failed, it has emerged.
Georgina – who used her married name Smith – passed away after being taken ill on October 21 on the Greek island of Kos, a place she had been visiting for 20 years, and was just 46 years old.
She had been on holiday with her partner Nigel and was initially rushed to a local hospital before being airlifted to a better equipped medical facility in Heraklion on Crete where she died after spending five days in intensive care.
A local coroner said no autopsy was needed as her ‘medical history was known’ and her body was flown back to England a few days after she died.
A hospital spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘The doctors did what they could but because of her condition there was not much that could be done.
‘She died from cirrhosis of the liver and internal bleeding after her organs failed. The coroner ruled there was no need for an autopsy because her medical history was known.
‘Her body was moved from the Venizelou Hospital in Heraklion across the city to another facility before being flown back to Britain.’
Georgina, pictured in 2003, was one of the most famous faces of the 1990s
Georgina Cooper on her wedding day earlier this year. The former model died while abroad with her husband, aged just 46
Jade Parfitt revealed that her friend had passed away on Instagram
Georgina – who used her married name Smith – passed away after being taken ill on October 21 on the Greek island of Kos (aerial picture of the island’s town centre)
Family and friends of Georgina are planning to pay an emotional farewell at a funeral service next week.
They will gather to pay their respects at Vinters Park Crematorium near her home in Maidstone, Kent, next Wednesday.
Nigel and her other family members are still battling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Sources said they want the service to be a dignified show of love for the Cool Britannia icon whose friends included catwalk star Kate Moss.
One said: ‘Everything is raw, but she was well loved. She was unpretentious – no heirs and graces.’
Supermodels Jade Parfitt, Helena Christensen, Erin O’Connor, Jodie Kidd, paid tribute to the ‘ray of light’ whose ‘achievements were huge’.
Jade told MailOnline: ‘Her friends and family are absolutely devastated, Georgina was a ray of light, a very popular model who was riotous fun, always laughing and being naughty in all the best ways.
‘We all wanted to hang out with George backstage. Her achievements in the industry were huge.’
Her former agent Dean Goodman added: ‘She was the original gap toothed girl! I will miss her immensely, rip 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, takes to 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 right more recently, has died aged just 46
He continued: ‘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’.
Georgina shot to stardom after being spotted by a modelling agency aged 13, then appearing in a Bon Jovi music-video two years later.
The London-born cover girl was dubbed London’s ‘original gap toothed girl’ – appearing on the front of magazines including US Vogue and The Face.
But she gave up the catwalk to care for her son Sonny and worked latterly in hospitality – including several pubs near her home.
Her most recent job was at the Fox & Goose, the country pub which hosted her dream wedding in May this year.
She fell ill when the couple were staying at Kos’s 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 on Kos said: ‘She was taken ill the day before she was supposed to fly home.
‘Georgina loved Greece and was always coming here but she had health problems and was ill once before when she was here.’
According to the NHS website cirrhosis of the liver caused by long-term liver damage and the scar tissue prevents the liver working properly.
