Karl Lagerfeld, the creative director of Chanel and Fendi, died on Feb. 19 at the age of 85.
Along with being remembered as a force in the fashion industry, Lagerfeld was known to many as a devoted cat dad to his pampered, 7-year-old feline Choupette.
According to The Standard, Choupette first became part of Lagerfeld’s life in 2011. Lagerfeld agreed to catsit Choupette, who then belonged to model Baptiste Giabiconi, and ultimately ended up adopting the feline as his own.
“A friend of mine got Choupette when she was only 3 months old and she had to travel and asked if I could take her in my house and take care of her. And then when she came back 2 weeks later I said ‘I am sorry Choupette will stay,” told PEOPLE in 2013 about how the darling kitten came into his life.
Lagerfeld quickly helped Choupette leave her own mark in the fashion world by arranging modeling gigs and product collaborations for her. The feline also has her own social media director to run her Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and blog — all called Choupette’s Diary.
In 2012, after just a few months with Lagerfeld, Choupette was pronounced “the most famous cat in the world” by her owner.
Throughout their time together, Lagerfeld always spoke adoringly about the fluffy feline and often spoiled his pet, including giving Choupette a shrimp cake for her first birthday.
Accustomed to a lavish life himself, Lagerfeld told PEOPLE he was happy to share it with Choupette, especially since she improved his life.
“It’s difficult to analyze and influence. Perhaps, she helped me to become a nicer person. Because there is something very touching about her you see. Even if she is spoiled beyond,” the designer said, adding that it helps that Choupette is also “the most beautiful cat in the world.”
After following this special bond for many years, many of Lagerfeld fans are wondering what will happen to Choupette now that her beloved owner has died.
Ashley Tschudin, the human behind Choupette’s social media accounts and Choupette’s Diary blog, provided a statement to PEOPLE on how the cat is coping with the loss of Lagerfeld.
“During this time, Choupette is coping with the loss the best she knows how to, but at such a young age (and being a cat), that is challenging. Karl Lagerfeld is and will always be her ‘Daddy.’ She is choosing to put her best paw forward and hopes that her loyal fans and followers will continue with their outpouring of love to help ease the pain,” reads the statement.
Choupette also posted a blog entry about Lagerfeld’s death, calling herself “Daddy Karl’s Biggest Fan.”
“He was a true icon who touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with, especially moi. He will forever live in my now broken heart and the hearts of all his supporters around the world,” reads the post. “I am eternally grateful for the life and love he gave me through adoption. I will never forget the moments we’ve shared together traveling, exploring, and creating.”
It is unclear who Choupette will live with now, but she appears to have a support system to help her through this difficult time.
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