Harry M. Brant, son of supermodel Stephanie Seymour and billionaire industrialist Peter M. Brant, has died at the age of 24 of an accidental drug overdose.
Harry was often seen with his brother, Peter Jr., on high profile red carpets. In 2015, the two brothers partnered with MAC cosmetics to launch a unisex cosmetics line “aimed at the gender fluid youth movement.”
His family, who say Harry has long struggled with addiction, issued a statement to the New York Times about their loss.
“We will forever be saddened that his life was cut short by this devastating disease,” they said. “He achieved a lot in his 24 years, but we will never get the chance to see how much more Harry could have done.”
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“Harry was not just our son,” the statement continued. “He was also a wonderful brother, loving grandson, favorite uncle and a caring friend. He was a creative, loving and powerful soul that brought light into so many people’s hearts. He was truly a beautiful person inside and out.”
Following a 2016 arrest for drug possession, Harry was reportedly planning to check into a drug rehabilitation center later this year, his parents said. His plan was to eventually work at one of his father’s publications, which include Interview Magazine.
Harry also dabbled in his mother’s profession of modeling, appearing in campaigns for Italian Vogue and Balmain.
In a May 2020 interview with fashion designer Marc Jacobs for Interview, Harry spoke of his passion for makeup. “To me,” he said, “wearing makeup is almost like a sense of armor that can be wielded whichever way I want, as a completely transformative form of self-expression.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
tjack47
I’m sorry to see anyone with the disease of addiction die from it at any age or socioeconomic status. We must now demand rehabilitative care for everyone no matter their ability to pay.
willbill
YES. Thank you for saying this – the financial disparity across the country is real. So many don’t have access to rehab and other treatments.
8millionandcounting
Sad. 24 and privileged beyond privileged.
Not many people can or could of realted to his life.
Simply moved in a different world of the very well-heeled, never had a care in the world about how they would eat or have a roof over their head, pay their credit card bill at the end of the month, never have to punch a time clock and seemingly wanting for nothing spending all afternoon getting ready for a party (it is noted he loved dressing up in costumes and making an entrance) with the few others who could relate. Apparently, this fantastic and magical existence of a life has its dark downside too., but we already know that. Grab and make your own happiness where you can because it isn’t at the bottom of a glass of alcohol or one more shot or another attempt at rolling the dice that just a little more (drug of choice) you think you can handle.
willbill
I’m sorry to read this. Harry was a wonderful boy, a wonderful nephew. I think ‘make your own happiness’ is the best part of your comment, thank you for that.
barryaksarben
Very sad. Horrible that people posting comments think they know his struggle and the fact he was from wealth made it less painful or sad. Money does not give anyone happiness. I dont know them but if they knew he was struggling they should have not have let him put off his planned recovery.
Jack Meoff
Where were his family in all of this?
Kangol2
His mother, the former supermodel Stephanie Seymour, allegedly had her own struggles with substance abuse. His father Peter Brant is a billionaire newsprint and publishing magnate, and a major art collector. His older brother is also a model and socialite, was busted for attacking a cop, and one joked online about killing President Obama. That’s where they were and are.
nitejonboy
They were being spoiled and rich and not caring about the things that matter, that’s what. The telling line is that he was planning on entering into rehab later this year….no, the family should have gotten him into it immediately, that was a telltale sign he was going to use as much as he could then give it up again..wonder which one will be next…and no I don’t want that, I just predict it, families like this aren’t built on love but money, and money can’t buy you happiness. If you spend more time building your art collection than being with your family, what do you expect ? Children learn by example. This was taught. And once it’s taught, it’s hard to unlearn it. Teach your children well folks.
willbill
We’ve been with him the entire time. Still didn’t work. Just heartbreaking.
jjdeg
I’m sorry to hear of any one succumbing to drug addiction but I did find it strange that he was planning to check in to rehab later this year for a 2016 drug arrest. What transpired between 2016 and 2021. Did no one intervene to try and save this kid, or were these dates a misprint?
willbill
These comments kill me. They go right to the heart, and while I don’t know you, you are my LGBTQ family and I feel compelled to respond. The disease of addiction is truly harrowing. It does not care who you are, what’s in your pocket, what you look like, whether you are kind or cruel.
The entire family gets wrapped up in it. They do their best every day to help, to guide, to advise, to hold them accountable, to let them face the consequences, to check them into rehab, to pick them up when they have fallen, to shout with joy for every sober day, to check them into rehab again, and again. To love them no matter what.
This goes on and on, and even after all that, sometimes, if you’re terribly unlucky…tragedy strikes that one last time and it’s over.
We lost our Harry, a notice of his death in the New York Times can’t possibly tell the whole story. We are crushed. Like so many families in America that wish they had just one more day to start over and give it another try.
Love to my LGBTQ family, hold your young ones close, take care of yourselves, and please be kind to each other.
XO
RyanMBecker
That was beautifully written. It’s absolutely true that as outsiders, we only see part of the story so it’s perhaps best to not criticize. Regardless, I wish you and the rest of the family, Peace.
hopesway64
First ,I want to say I’m so sorry for these horribly insensitive comments . You made it obvious he was family to you , yet they still insisted on saying these mean things. I’m coming from a place of pain also, my family has gone through this disease with more people than one member . as I’m sure you have as well . I’m so sorry for you and your whole family. It does not matter if you have money or don’t have money . If you have class or don’t have class . I know they loved their son and tried to help him . Sometimes it doesn’t matter no matter how much you try to help . It is a horrible disease that hurts everyone involved. I wish you happiness and joy in your memories and the rest of your life . Not everyone feels the way some of these people do. They are the ones saying prayers for your family, and not making hurtful comments online.
RyanMBecker
It’s surprising that the article did not once mention that both Harry and his older brother, Peter, were/are openly gay. That’s far from implied since Queerty often publishes articles about gay icons, LGBT allies — or just hot guys.
Peter came out publicly after appearing in incestuous beach photos where he and his model mother were very affectionate. Both wore only bathing suits as they lip-locked, with 17y/o Peter’s hand on his mother’s famous breast. Whether the photos were staged or depicted their natural relationship is unknown. Facing criticism, Peter posted that it was not incestuous because he was gay.
Youtube has many videos of the brothers being unabashedly gay, with the late Harry being the more flamboyant of the two. Harry had the “gay voice” while Peter does not (although I, as a straight man, may not be the best to judge). In one video interview, Peter says that while both wear makeup, only Harry wears lipstick. Most of the videos are promos for their cosmetic line. I believe Harry was as young as 15 in some of the videos, indicating that his cosmopolitan parents had no issues with their sexuality early on.
The brothers were not really all that well-liked outside of their rarified circle. They were seen as spoiled, hedonistic and generally clueless about the real world. And they didn’t really care what people thought, posing for high society photos at every opportunity. Many, however, say that it was mostly an act, and both were ready to becomes responsible adults as they joined the father’s business. Peter had already made the transition, but the younger Harry stumbled, and unfortunately never recovered.