Former Serbian model Slađana Tesla has been found dead in her apartment in Belgrade at the age of 53. Authorities discovered her body on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, according to Serbian media reports.
Tesla, a familiar name in Serbia’s fashion industry, lived in the New Belgrade district.
Serbian news outlet Telegraf reported the circumstances surrounding the discovery on Wednesday, October 14.
Slađana Tesla Found Dead After Neighbors Raised Concerns
According to preliminary information reported by Telegraf, Tesla lived alone. Neighbors had reportedly not seen her for several days.
Residents later noticed an unpleasant smell coming from her apartment. They informed the building manager, who contacted the police.
Emergency services entered the apartment and discovered her body.
Authorities have not yet announced an official cause of death. An autopsy and investigation will help determine the circumstances and timing of her death.
Remembering Slađana Tesla’s Fashion Career
Slađana Tesla became a recognizable figure in Serbia’s fashion industry during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Throughout her modeling career, she worked with Serbian and international fashion designers. Her appearances on runways helped establish her name in the regional fashion scene.
After leaving professional modeling, Tesla continued working in the industry.
She pursued a career as a fashion choreographer and event organizer, maintaining her connection with the profession.
Tesla also attracted public interest through her claims of a family connection to Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer.
However, those claims should not be treated as proof of a verified family relationship.
Her death has brought renewed attention to her career and her years in the Serbian fashion industry.
As of October 14, authorities have not released further official details about the cause of death.
