Fashion Heiress Versace Battling Anorexia

CNN.com reports that Allegra Beck Versace, 20-year-old heiress to the Versace fashion house, has struggled with anorexia nervosa for years, according to her mother, Donatella Versace.

While the connection between high fashion and eating disorders seems fairly obvious, it might be too easy to blame this young woman's anorexia on the fact that she is attached to the industry. We don't know what other factors and stresses may be involved.

Regardless of the business, what would it be like to inherit half of a major corporation at the age of 18? More importantly, what would it be like to receive that inheritance from an uncle who was shot to death when you were 11--by a serial killer?

This is one part of the history of Allegra Beck Versace. Stereotyping her will not be of help to her, or to anyone else struggling with an eating disorder.

• Guidelines for the Fashion Industry from the Academy for Eating Disorders
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