Catya Sassoon

Catya "Cat" Sassoon (September 3, 1968 – January 1, 2002) was an American actress, singer and model. She was the eldest daughter of Vidal Sassoon and Beverly Adams. Early life The eldest of four children, Sassoon was born at the Klingenstein Pavilion of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City to British hairstylist Vidal Sassoon, and his wife, Canadian-born actress Beverly Adams. She had three younger siblings: sister Eden and brothers Elan and David. Her father was born in Shepherd's Bush and was of Greek and Jewish descent. Sassoon's parents divorced in 1980. Raised in Beverly Hills, Sassoon began modeling as child with her mother Beverly and appeared on several talk shows. By the age of 13, Sassoon began rebelling and piercing her nose and styled her hair in a purple-and-white mohawk. Career Against her parents' wishes, Sassoon dropped out of Beverly Hills High School at the age of 14 to pursue a modeling career. She moved to New York City where 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. Sassoon later appeared on the covers of Seventeen, Brides and Cosmopolitan. It was around this time that Sassoon began taking drugs. In his autobiography, Vidal Sasson recalled that he realized his daughter was having drug issues when the two appeared on a morning talk show and Sassoon appeared to be high. Vidal Sassoon demanded that Catya return to Los Angeles where she was admitted to the Betty Ford Center. It would be the first of several rehab stays. After a month, Sassoon was released and resumed her career.