Lucy Markovic, 23, was a star of the Australian modeling industry and runner up of “Australia’s Next Top Model” season 9. Tragically, she succumbed at the age of 27 from complications from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her brain. Markovic, a dancer famous for her beauty and charm, was about to go into surgery. This procedure is intended to treat an AVM—referred to by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as an abnormal tangle of blood vessels disrupting the flow of blood between arteries and veins.
The surgery, originally scheduled for March 26, was rescheduled to April 2. Complications set in, and she died at their hands before her time. A representative for Markovic confirmed the news, stating, “I regret to inform you that Lucy has passed. She was at peace. Me, her mother and my mother were present with her.” The family has asked for privacy as they process their loss.
Markovic gained fame in 2015 when she became the runner-up on “Australia’s Next Top Model,” losing the competition by a mere point to Brittany Beattie. Her journey to stardom was fueled by her grit and aspirations to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Her sister, Jelena Markovic, reflected on her ambitions, saying, “Your ambitions were always so high… Now you will be walking with all the Angels in heaven; they will all be jealous of you.”
In the modeling world, Markovic has taken major steps, most notably walking the runway for Donatella Versace’s Spring/Summer 2023 show. After her passing, Versace posted an emotional tribute to Markovic on Instagram. He posted the heartwarming picture of her with one simple line, “Rest in peace beautiful girl.”
Markovic wasn’t simply an enterprising beauty—she was a businesswoman. Prior to her untimely death, she was actively engaged in the process of developing an app focused on fitness and wellness. Elite Model Management, which represented her, expressed their sorrow in a statement: “Lucy was a bright shining light… Her smile and laughter could light up a room.” They emphasized her impact on the modeling industry: “Modeling was one of Lucy’s dreams… she brought elegance, strength, and beauty to her work.”
The unexpected passing of up and coming star Lucy Markovic caused a ripple effect across the modeling world and beyond. Friends and colleagues remember her as much for her enormous talent as for her warmth and sense of humor.