Chanel, the Couturier, Dead in Paris – The New York Times

PARIS, Jan. 10—Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel, one of the greatest couturiers of the 20th century, died tonight in her apartment at the Ritz Hotel. She was 87 years old.

The death of Coco, as she was known the world over, was announced by close friends. They said that her death came peacefully and that nothing in recent days had in dicated she was in bad health. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Her friends said that chambermaid discovered that Coco was ill and called a phy sician.

Coco’s death occurred as she was working on her col lection to be presented in the spring fashion shows this month.

Her life story was turned into a musical, “Coco,” which ran on Broadway last year starring Katharine Hepburn in her first singing and dancing role. Miss Hepburn, 60 at the time the show opened, was termed “too old” for the part by the tart tongued Coco, Who was 86.