Catya Sassoon was a successful model, actress, and singer who died at the age of 33 on January 1, 2002. Her cause of death was a heart attack induced by an accidental overdose of hydromorphone mixed with cocaine, according to the Los Angeles County coroner. She had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as high blood pressure, which contributed to her fatal cardiac arrest. This article will explore the life and career of Catya Sassoon, as well as the circumstances surrounding her death.
Early Life and Modeling Career
Catya Sassoon was born on September 3, 1968, in New York City, to British hairstylist Vidal Sassoon and Canadian actress Beverly Adams. She was the eldest of four children and grew up in Beverly Hills. She began modeling as a child with her mother and appeared on several talk shows. By the age of 13, she started to rebel and pierced her nose and styled her hair in a purple-and-white mohawk.
Against her parents’ wishes, she dropped out of Beverly Hills High School at the age of 14 to pursue a modeling career in New York City. She signed with the Prestige Agency and enrolled at Professional Children’s School. Her modeling career quickly took off and she became one of New York’s top teen models. She appeared on the covers of Seventeen, Brides, and Cosmopolitan.
However, her success came with a price. She developed a drug habit that spiraled out of control. Her father, Vidal Sassoon, recalled that he realized his daughter was having drug issues when they appeared on a morning talk show and she seemed to be high. He demanded that she return to Los Angeles and admitted her to the Betty Ford Center. It would be the first of several rehab stays.
Marriage and Film Career
Shortly before she was set to leave for a lucrative modeling assignment in Japan, Sassoon met 18-year old Luca Scalisi, the son of an Italian film producer. He proposed to the then 15-year old Sassoon at a Los Angeles dinner party her father was attending. Vidal Sassoon consented to the marriage on the condition that they had a Jewish ceremony at his home. The two were married at Vidal’s home in August 1984.
Shortly after the wedding, Sassoon landed her first film role. She made her film debut in the role of “Feather”, a “somewhat trashy teen-ager” in the 1985 drama, Tuff Turf. She went on to appear in more than 20 films, including Bloodfist IV: Die Trying, The Hunted, Modern Girls, and Hollywood Kids. She also appeared in television shows and as the lead singer for the band Feline Force.
Her marriage to Scalisi ended in divorce in 1985. She later married Joe Myers, with whom she had three children: twin daughters and a son.
Death and Legacy
On New Year’s Eve 2001, Sassoon attended a party at a friend’s house. She complained of not feeling well, left the party, and went home. The next morning, her husband tried to wake her up but she failed to respond. He called 911 and paramedics arrived, but they could not revive her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles County coroner later determined that while Sassoon did suffer from cardiovascular disease and she did suffer a heart attack, the heart attack was induced by an accidental overdose of the opioid pain-killer hydromorphone. Cocaine was also found in her system.
Sassoon’s death shocked and saddened her family and friends, who remembered her as a beautiful, talented, and loving person. Her father, Vidal Sassoon, said that he was “devastated” by the loss of his daughter and that he hoped that her death would serve as a warning to others about the dangers of drugs.
Catya Sassoon was buried at Eden Memorial Park Cemetery in Mission Hills, California. She is survived by her husband, children, parents, and siblings.
Catya Sassoon was a star who shone brightly in the fashion and entertainment industry, but also struggled with personal demons that ultimately claimed her life. Her story is a tragic reminder of the fragility of human life and the importance of seeking help for addiction problems. She will always be remembered as a model and actress who left a mark on the world.
