Lucy Markovic, an international model who rose to fame on Australia’s Next Top Model, has died aged 27.

Model and former Australia’s Next Top Model (ANTM) contestant Lucy Markovic has died following complications from a rare brain condition.

Her partner announced the news in a heartfelt message to her 93,600 Instagram followers on Friday morning.

“Dear friends and family, I regret to inform you that Lucy has passed,” the statement read.

Lucy was an Australian-Croatian model from the Gold Coast who rose to fame after appearing on Australia’s Next Top Model. Picture: Instagram
“She was at peace. Me, her mother and my mother were present with her.

“We ask you to please give us space in these hard times. May Lucy rest in peace.”

The 27-year-old model from the Gold Coast, who was a finalist on season nine of the hit Foxtel series, had been diagnosed with a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

She was placed in a coma earlier this week following emergency surgery.

On Thursday, her partner told followers she was “battling for her life” on social media. Picture: Instagram

Before sadly sharing the news that she had passed. Picture: Instagram
In her final Instagram post, the Australian-Croatian model told followers she would be undergoing brain surgery on April 2.

“Lucky + unlucky – Radiation, seizures, heavy medication and 4 years later. I will be undergoing brain surgery on the 26th of this month for the AVM in the back of my brain (arteriovenous malformation) that is the size of a golf ball,. (Now has changed to the 2nd of April),” she wrote.

“Excited, thankful, scared, supported, hopeful. Full flood of emotions in this time. Life’s a journey and I’m ready for the next chapter.”

An AVM is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that bypasses the capillaries, creating direct connections between arteries and veins, which can disrupt blood flow and oxygen delivery to surrounding tissue.

Markovic’s modelling agency, Elite New York, said it was “heartbroken” by the news.

“Lucy was a bright shining light, and had an incredible dry sense of humor. Her smile and laughter could light up a room, and draw you closer to her,” the agency said.

“She loved to dance, she really shined. Modeling was one of Lucy’s dreams, and we are deeply honored to have been part of that journey with her.

“She brought elegance, strength, and beauty to her work.

“But more than that, she brought herself- her warmth, her laughter, her light.

“To her family and friends, please know that you are in our prayers and in our hearts. We mourn with you, and we celebrate the incredible person Lucy was. We will never forget her.”

After debuting exclusively with Versace in 2022, Lucy quickly emerged as one of the industry’s foremost models, walking the runway for Givenchy, Victoria Beckham, Giorgio Armani and Bally, as well as being featured in prestigious publications such as Vogue Singapore, Schön! Magazine, To Be Magazine, and Vogue Korea.

Fellow models, including Brooke Pitt (nee Hogan), a contestant from ANTM season eight, expressed their heartbreak and offered condolences on social media.

“Rest in peace, beautiful girl. It’s heartbreaking,” Pitt wrote on Markovic’s post.

Model and former The Face judge, Cheyenne Tozzi, shared a photo of Marvokic on her Instagram stories with the caption: “Beautiful. Kind. Brave. Lucy, rest in peace, little angel.”

French model Charlotte Coquelin posted a video, stating: “This is the saddest day; I can’t believe the news. Goodbye, my princess. You will always be the coolest girl I know.”