
Kate Spade fell into a deep depression days before she committed suicide because her husband Andy wanted a divorce.

TMZ reports that the couple were living separate lives, and that Andy had moved into a separate apartment after 24 years of marriage.

He was in the apartment however when Kate , 55, hanged herself with a scarf in her Park Avenue home in Manhattan on Tuesday morning.

The designer left behind a heartbreaking suicide note to her daughter Frances Beatrix, 13, which read: 'Bea - I have always loved you. This is not your fault. Ask Daddy!'

Andy was seen with the couple's only child on Tuesday at the girl's school, with a source telling DailyMail.com that he arrived with a police officer to get his daughter and tell her the news.

Kate's sister said that the designer had been battling mental illness throughout her life, but it wasn't until comedian Robin Williams killed himself in August 2014 that she began to realize Kate's obsession with suicide and her unraveling mental health.

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Kate Spade fell into a deep depression days before she committed suicide because her husband Andy wanted a divorce and she didn't want their 24-year marriage to be over, police sources said

Kate Spade was found dead at the age of 55 in her Park Avenue apartment on Tuesday (Spade above in 2004)

Kate is pictured (far left) as a young child, posing with her family on the stairs in the 1960s

Fashion designer Kate Spade (right) left behind a tragic note telling her teenage daughter Frances 'Bea' Beatrix (left) not to blame herself for her suicide

Kate's suicide was 'not unexpected' according to her family who say she struggled for years with bipolar disorder - but was too scared to seek help in case it hurt her brand.

Her older sister Reta Saffo said Kate struggled to cope with her celebrity status, which only made her suspected bipolar disorder worse.

'My little sister Katy was a precious, precious little person,' Saffo told DailyMail.com. 'Genuine in almost every way.

'Just dear - but she was surrounded by YES people, for far too long, therefore she did not receive the proper care for what I believed to be (and tried numerous times to get her help for) bipolar disorder... stemming from her immense celebrity.'

Saffo said the 55-year-old never anticipated how successful her brand would become - and how she, with it, would become a household name: 'She never expected it - nor was she properly prepared for it.'

Saffo told The Kansas City Star she'd noticed worrying signs of mental illness even when Kate was young - but the pressure of running her own brand meant her sister began to crack.

'She was always a very excitable little girl,' she said adding that 'this was not unexpected by me'.

'I felt all the stress/pressure of her brand (KS) may have flipped the switch where she eventually became full-on manic depressive...'

The heartbroken sister said Kate would self-medicate her suspected bipolar disorder with alcohol, because she was too scared to seek professional help in case it damaged the brand.

'Unfortunately, untreated, it finally took its toll on her,' she told DailyMail.com. 'A very tragic and sad ending to the life of a very colorful and delightful being.'

She described how they were together at a hotel in Santa Fe when news broke of his death. And while she says they were both shocked and saddened, Kate seemed unable to tear herself away from the footage.

'She kept watching it and watching it over and over,' she said. 'I think the plan was already in motion even as far back as then.'

Increasingly concerned about her mental state, Saffo says that she and Andy repeatedly urged her to go for treatment, including to the same treatment program where Catherine Zeta-Jones went for her successful bipolar treatment.

But she'd always 'chickened out' at the last moment.

'We'd get sooo close to packing her bags, but — in the end, the 'image' of her brand (happy-go-lucky Kate Spade) was more important for her to keep up. She was definitely worried about what people would say if they found out.'

In the end, she said, Kate's death was heartbreaking but 'not unexpected'.

'Sometimes you simply cannot SAVE people from themselves!' said Saffo.

'One of the last things she said to me was, 'Reta, I know you hate funerals and don't attend them, but for me would you PLEASE come to MINE, at least. Please!' I know she perhaps had a plan, but she insisted she did not.'

The designer left a note before taking her own life by hanging and was discovered 'unconscious and unresponsive' by her housekeeper just after 10am (Spade is taken from her home in a body bag)

Andy and Kate Spade bought the nine-room apartment in which she died in 1999 for $2.675 million

Kate shot to fame in the mid-90s thanks to her eponymous line of handbags and was also the aunt of Rachel Brosnahan, the star of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.

Andy and Kate Spade bought the nine-room apartment in which she died in 1999 for $2.675 million, and also owned a vineyard in Napa Valley.

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The couple launched their design line back in 1993, starting at first with just handbags before expanding to clothes and other accessories.

Three years in the couple was able to open their first store, and for the next decade continue to grow the company.

She had launched international and home lines by 2004, having by that point sold off most of her company.

Andy also launched a men's line of bags, Jack Spade, in 1996, which is still sold at stores such as Barneys.

Neiman Marcus purchased 56 per cent of the company in 1999 and the remaining 44 per cent by 2006, at which time Kate left the business to raise her daughter.

She told People at the time that she wanted to focus on her family.

'When the two of us sold the company with our other two partners to Neiman Marcus, it was kind of a time for us to take a break.

'So we sold Kate Spade and I personally, I don't know about Andy, I took off a good nine years raising my daughter and absolutely adored every moment of it.

'And then I realized she was becoming 12 and didn't want me around so much, so I thought I would get back into the business.'

Andy continued to work with brands including Target, J.Crew and Warby Parker while also launching the design studio partners & Spade.

By 2006, the company was valued at $125 million, and Kate left for good the following year after Neiman sold Kate Spade & Co to Liz Claiborne that same year.

'Kate Spade had an enviable gift for understanding exactly what women the world over wanted to carry,' said Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

'She launched her label at a time when everyone thought that the definition of a handbag was strictly European, all decades-old serious status and wealth.

'Then along came this thoroughly American young woman who changed everything.

'There was a moment when you couldn't walk a block in New York without seeing one of her bags, which were just like her; colorful and unpretentious.'

In the decade since she sold her ownership Kate Spade has continued to grow, and in 2017 the brand was purchased by Coach for an astonishing $2.4 billion.

In 2016, Kate told People how the couple survived living and working together.

'Treat them as well as you would any other employee. What I mean is we need to respect one another as much as you do the other people in the office. I've had to learn to be as respectful.'

She added that both had 'different personalities.'

'He's more relaxed more of a risk taker and I'm a little more detailed and uptight neurotic.'

Kate had just recently tried to reenter the fashion world with the launch of Frances Valentine, a line of luxury handbags and shoes.

The couple took no investors and focused on slowly rolling out the brand in select markets.

In an interview with WWD in 2015 she discussed how she came to name the brand, stating: 'My grandfather, father, brother, and my daughter's name is Frances. And then Valentine was my mom's dad's middle name because he was born on Valentine's Day.'

The line was sold at Nordstrom, Saks and Bloomingdales.

She was twice honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1996 as an emerging accessories designer to watch and again in 1998 as the best accessories designer of the year.

Difficult day: David Spade was seen in Los Angeles shortly after the news of Kate's suicide on Tuesday

In the beginning: Kate and her husband back in 1993 (above) when they first launched the line of handbags in New York City

David shared this snap of himself with a smiling Kate during Christmas, saying, 'We had so much fun that day'

'I don't think everyone knew how f****** funny she was': Grieving actor David Spade posts a sweet snap of sister-in-law Kate at one of his book signings Kate Spade's brother-in-law, David Spade, paid tribute to the late fashion designer with sweet social media posts late Tuesday, hours after her shocking suicide. The comedian and younger sibling to Kate's husband, Andy Spade, took to Twitter to share a photo of Kate supporting him at a book signing, looking especially happy. The 'Tommy Boy' star, 53, wrote in the caption: 'Katy at my book signing. I love this pic of her. So pretty. I don't think everyone knew how f****** funny she was... It's a rough world out there people. Try to hang on.' David later posted another beaming photo of the fashion icon and himself to his Instagram page. 'Fuzzy picture but I love it. Kate and I during Christmas family photos. We had so much fun that day,' David said.'She was so sharp and quick on her feet. She could make me laugh so hard. I still cant believe it.' Earlier Tuesday afternoon, David appeared beside himself as he stepped out in Los Angeles. The actor shared a tender hug with an unknown woman in a parking lot before the pair went their separate ways. Advertisement

That same group held its annual gala and awards show on Monday in Brooklyn, which Spade did not attend.

In a statement released shortly after her death, CFDA heads Steven Kolb and Diane von Furstenberg said: 'The CFDA is devastated to hear the news of our friend, colleague, and CFDA member Kate Spade's tragic passing. She was a great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion and the way the world viewed American accessories.

'We want to honor her life and her major contribution to the fashion business and express our most sincere condolences to the family.'

Spade was a member of the CFDA and would have been invited to the group's annual event on Monday but did not attend, with the designer making few public appearances after giving birth.

A number of celebrities paid tribute to Spade on Tuesday in the wake of her death.

'#KateSpade, whose lively, colorful, and yes, joyous designs has died. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends, and her many fans around the world, who loved the wonderful illusions she created. I am stunned,' wrote Bette Midler.

'I am heartbroken about the news of Kate Spade. I have worn her clothes many, many times. They were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them. You couldn't walk into her boutiques and not smile. Rest In Peace, Kate,' said Mindy Kalling.

'My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kate's family, friends and loved ones in my heart,' Chelsea Clinton posted on Twitter.

Ivanka Trump also tweeted, saying: 'Kate Spade's tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another's pain or the burden they carry. If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide, please, please seek help.'

Nikki Haley also tweeted a similar message, writing: 'The passing of Kate Spade is a stark reminder that we never know the struggles of a person regardless of their outward persona. If you or anyone you love is struggling, there is help. You don't have to be alone.'

The designer was born Kate Brosnahan in Kanasas City, where she attended an all-girls sc hool before heading off to college at the Univeristy of Kansas.

Back at it: Kate filmed a video soon after the relaunch to discuss some of her favorite things, and posted it on the Frances Valentine site (above)

Back in the day: Kate got her start as an editor for the fashion magazine Mademoiselle (left in 2000 with Andy and right in 2004 while pregnant)

Remarks: 'Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand. Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time,' said executives for the fashion line Kate Spade

Kate decided to transfer to Arizona State University and study journalism, which is where she met her husband.

She graduated in 1985 and spent the next six years working for Mademoiselle in New York City, eventually landing herself the role of senior fashion editor.

In 1991 she left the magazine and decided to go out on her own with a line of purses, believing there was a gap in the market she could fill.

Kate had no experience designing handbags at the time she explained in a 2016 interview with NPR for their podcast How I Built It.

'It's funny. You know, Andy and I were talking one night. And I just said - I was looking ahead and I saw the fashion directors. That would be your next jump from being senior fashion editor. And I thought, I don't really see myself wanting that job. So Andy and I were out, honestly, at a Mexican restaurant,' recalled Kate.

'And he just said, what about handbags? And I said, honey, you just don't start a handbag company. And he said, why not? How hard can it be? I thought, OK, really? He regrets those words.'

She said that production got underway on what she felt the handbag market was missing at the time.

'At the time, things were very - bags were too complicated. And I really loved very simple kind of architectural shapes. And I would wear these very simple shapes, none of which were famous designers. I mean, there were no names. If someone were to say, whose is that? I'd say, I don't know, I bought it at a vintage store or it's a straw bag I got in Mexico,' explained Kate.

'So - and they were all very square and simple. And I thought, gosh, I mean, why can't we find something just clean and simple and modern?'

A year after launching the company, Kate and Andy were married.

She continued to expand for the 15 years she worked at her eponymous company, and in 2002 entered the very lucrative fragrance market, teaming up with Estee Lauder to release bath and body products as well as a honeysuckle fragrance.

By 1998, Kate had one of the most successful brands in fashion, and a year later Neiman Marcus purchased a controlling share of the company, valued then at $23 million.

It was that same year that the two bought their Park Avenue palazzo, just a few blocks from Central Park and the Met.

They also purchased a home on Main Street in Southampton in 1996 for $218,500 according to property records.

Trio: By 2006, the company was valued at $125 million, and Kate left for good the following year after Neiman sold Kate Spade & Co to Liz Claiborne that same year (Kate with Andy and David Spade in 2001)

British invasion: Pippa Middleton was a massive fan of the brand and even had a bag named after her (seen on left in 203; Pippa on right in 2012), though it was after the designer had cut ties with the brand

Kid's corner: The apartment that the couple shared could be seen decorated in children's drawings in a photo shoot

Tragic ends: Spade (left) is the third high-profile fashion designer to commit suicide following the death of L'Wren Scott (right) four years ago and Alexander McQueen

WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER? Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that mainly affects sufferers' moods. It is characterised as periods of euphoric highs and depressive lows. These mood swings can be extreme and have a big impact on a patient's quality of life. The rate of bipolar episode cycling varies between sufferers. Bipolar's causes may include childhood trauma, stressful life events, genetics or brain chemistry. Treatment may include medication or therapy. Sufferers can practice self-care by staying physically healthy, maintaining a strong support network, sticking to a daily routine and avoiding known triggers, such as late nights. The difference between bipolar I and II is that bipolar II sufferers won't have experienced a full manic episode. Source: Mind Advertisement

Kate's eponymous company also released a statement on Tuesday, saying: 'Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand. Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time.'

Kate's pioneering work paved the way for such talent as Tory Burch and Jenna Lyons of J Crew, while her initial designs are still strikingly similar to many of the handbags being sold by major American fashion brands.

In a 2016 interview with Wall Street Journal, Kate spoke about how even through she had returned to the world of fashion her daughter was still her priority.

'I kind of thought taking that time off was unbelievably amazing,' she said of her decade-long absence .

'I thought it was, like, a gift. I really did.'

Once back at work, it was including her only child that made work a delight for Kate, and she described her excitement at getting to go to the studio with Frances on the weekends.

Kate is the third major designer to take her life in the past decade, with L'Wren Scott committing suicide in 2014 and Alexander McQueen also ending his life in 2010.

All three hanged themselves.

If you or anyone you know needs to talk, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Lifeline Australia 13 11 14

To contact the Samaritans, visit www.samaritans.org or call 116 123.