She had been a regular on the runways in New York , Milan and Paris.

And in 2008, Russian model Ruslana Korshunova, 20, died after falling from a building in Manhattan''s Financial District. Her death was ruled a suicide after depressing poetry written by her was found on her computer.

In February of this year, designer to the stars Alexander McQueen killed himself, distraught over his mother's day which had occurred days earlier.

What drives these beautiful and successful people to such desperate acts? In every instance, people close to the victims said they didn’t know they were unhappy or showing signs of depression.

That these successful, beautiful and rich people couldn’t live another day seems incomprehensible, yet suicide can be triggered by many factors including depression, alcoholism, drugs, and financial difficulties.

Yet, a study by the University of Rochester published last June in the Journal Of Research In Personality paradoxically suggested that having it all -- money, fame and looks – can actually contribute to a person’s unhappiness.

”People understand that it's important to pursue goals in their lives and they believe that attaining these goals will have positive consequences. This study shows that this is not true for all goals," says the study's author Edward Deci, a psychology professor. "Even though our culture puts a strong emphasis on attaining wealth and fame, pursuing these goals does not contribute to having a satisfying life. The things that make your life happy are growing as an individual, having loving relationships, and contributing to your community."

The study found that the more individuals reached their goals for materialism and image, the more they experienced negative emotions such as shame, anger and anxiety.

Madi S. is mom to two kids and three cats. She loves pop culture news, movies, fashion, travel, reading and observing the world.