BILD reporter says goodbye – I wanted to hear the whales sing with her

My television was still square and thick when I fell in love with Tatjana Patitz in front of the tube in the early 90s.

A cool, 1.80 meter tall blonde German. A real, real supermodel was lying there with talker Roger Willemsen († 60) on a studio lawn. They heard whale or dolphin songs, talked softly and very cleverly. Very intimate. I wanted to lie where Willemsen lay: next to her.

My world stood still. I thought I could hear the cushions softly giving way under both of them. I was furiously jealous.

She campaigned for whales and dolphins. Wanted to show that they speak and feel while singing. I was willing to take an interest in whales and dolphins too – in YOU.

It was the look. A skeptical promise from narrow eyes over long cheeks. Built-in doubt and defiance. A challenging temptation. Determination. Her armor: her aura. Also naked.

The type that strong women photographers like Helmut Newton († 83) shaped us on. Definitive eroticism. Self-confident and self-determined. Even stronger than beautiful. They all had the same first name: the skippers. The Evangelist. The Campbell. Only her back then: MY Patitz.

Now the death news. I know whales can sing and mourn across oceans.

Adieu!