Daily Mail : Sixties model Jan de Souza dies 'of loneliness' aged 81
By JESSICA GREEN FOR MAILONLINE
A model for fashion designer Mary Quant who became a popular figure in 1960s society, Jan De Souza has died 'from loneliness' aged 81.
Married to Johnny Gold, the founder of Tramp nightclub, one of London's most glamorous hotspots for royalty, Hollywood A-listers and the super-rich to hang out, Jan became friends with everyone, including Dame Joan Collins, Sir Michael Caine and Sir Rod Stewart.
But her 'soulmate' passed away last year, dying of unknown causes on October 7, aged 89.
Life without her husband of 50 years 'was too much' for Jan, according to her son Nick Gold, via the Daily Mail's Richard Eden, and she 'died of loneliness' on June 11, 2022, following a battle with cancer, reported The Times.
Jan’s modelling assignments included posing with David Bowie in a West End alley in 1965, with the former holding a flute, while he carried a violin. Jan in the sixties jumping out of a swimming pool covered with balloons
She was also often pictured with her pal and mentor Mary Quant, who helped popularise the mini-skirt and hot pants. Pictured together
Despite her popularity in the modelling industry, Jan (pictured in her younger years) retired in 1971 when she tied the knot with her husband Johnny
Her son said: '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. Life without her soulmate and partner was too much. Now they can be together for eternity.'
Jan’s modelling assignments included posing with David Bowie in a West End alley in 1965, with the former holding a flute, while he carried a violin.
The musician was still using his birth name of David Jones and the duo were modelling outfits for the teen magazine Fabulous 208.
She was also often pictured with her pal and mentor Mary Quant, who helped popularise the mini-skirt and hot pants.
Johnny Gold, Jan Gold, Shakira Caine and Sir Michael Caine at the Tramp 50th Anniversary party in London on 23 May 2019
A popular Jan would help greet her husband’s celebrity clients - including Mick Jagger, Marlon Brando and Princess Margaret - on Friday and Saturday nights. Pictured, Jan with her husband
Despite her popularity in the modelling industry, Jan retired in 1971 when she tied the knot with her husband Johnny.
Two years earlier, he had launched Tramp in Jermyn Street and it soon became one of the British capital’s most lavish nightclubs, boasting a host of wealthy, A-lister guests.
A popular Jan would help greet her husband’s celebrity clients - including Mick Jagger, Marlon Brando and Princess Margaret - on Friday and Saturday nights.
The couple ran the nightclub as a family business until 1998, when it was sold by Johnny.
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Along with welcoming celebrities at the club, Jan (pictured modelling), who is also survived by a daughter, Claire, hosted the likes of Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve at her family home in St John’s Wood, northwest London
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Jan (pictured modelling) was born in Agra, India, in August 1940, the daughter of George, who was a railway executive, and Inez de Souza
‘She was very social and made everyone feel comfortable,’ her son Nick told The Times. ‘She was the proof of the saying that behind every great man is a greater woman.’
Along with welcoming celebrities at the club, Jan, who is also survived by a daughter, Claire, hosted the likes of Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve at her family home in St John’s Wood, northwest London.
Jan was born in Agra, India, in August 1940, the daughter of George, who was a railway executive, and Inez de Souza.
Her family fled in the refugee crisis that followed partition and arrived penniless in Britain in 1948, before moving in with relatives in Acton, west London.
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In 1969, her husband (pictured together in 2012) launched Tramp in Jermyn Street and it soon became one of the British capital’s most lavish nightclubs, boasting a host of wealthy, A-lister guests
Jan, then eight years old, spoke just Hindi but soon learnt English before winning a scholarship to art college.
When at art school, Jan, who remained a keen amateur painter throughout her life, started modelling and was noticed by Quant.
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.
She got engaged to another man while there, however, Johnny soon pleaded with her to return to London and the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before the nightclub founder’s death last year.
