Harry Brant, 24, son of Greenwich billionaire and model, dies of overdose
GREENWICH — The son of billionaire Peter Brant and former model Stephanie Seymour has died of an accidental drug overdose.
Harry Brant, a model and cosmetics entrepreneur, died Sunday at the age of 24, according to a statement that his family released to the media.
Brant died of a prescription drug overdose after struggling with addiction for several years, the statement said. Brant had plans to enter a drug rehabilitation center this year, the Brant family said.
“We will forever be saddened that his life was cut short by this devastating disease,” his family said in a statement. “He achieved a lot in his 24 years, but we’ll never get the chance to see how much more Harry could have done.”
“Harry was not just our son,” the family 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.”
Brant founded a unisex MAC makeup line with his brother Peter in 2015, and he promoted the products on social media and YouTube. He modeled for the Italian edition of Vogue magazine.
Messages of shock and heartbreak flooded the comment section on Brant’s most recent Instagram post from about a week ago. Brant, in a December posting on Instagram, mourned the death of fashion model Stella Tennant, and he often posted observations about the fashion world.
Harry Brant was the son of billionaire Peter Brant, an art collector, newsprint manufacturer, polo player and media executive, and former model Stephanie Seymour. They own White Birch Farm on North Street in Greenwich.
Harry Brant drew headlines in 2016 when Greenwich police arrested him after they said he refused to pay a $28 taxi fare in town. Police charged Brant, 20 at the time, with sixth-degree larceny, resisting arrest and drug possession.
When he was told he was under arrest, police said he tried to run away from the officers, who were able to restrain him as he resisted arrest. When officers searched Brant after he was in custody, police said they found a baggie that had a white substance in it.
Police said that substance later tested positive for narcotics. Brant attended a drug awareness program following his arrest in 2016 to settle the charges.
According to an interview with Vogue, Brant said he had a love of art history that fed his interest in fashion. “I love the idea of each object holding its own as a piece of art. It’s the same thing that attracts me to true high fashion imagery,” he said.
Brant studied at Rye Country Day and Bard College.
Greenwich police said Monday that there was no local involvement in the fatality.
Memorial arrangments were not announced.