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Few lives have travelled such contrasting paths as that of Errikos Petillon, once one of Greece’s best-known male models of previous decades and a once familiar figure in international celebrity circles. From New York’s legendary Studio 54 nightclub to media-hyped ties with internationally renowned actresses and royalty, he experienced a world of wealth, glamour and privilege before facing decades of addiction, financial ruin and personal difficulties.

His name returned to the headlines in November after his arrest in connection with an extensive alleged tax fraud network operating primarily in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki. Investigators reportedly identified him as one of the individuals whose personal details were used to conceal the actual ownership of companies involved in the scheme.

According to the case file, Petillon allegedly participated as a manager in six legal entities and as a partner in two others, which accumulated liabilities of approximately 596,000 euros. He reportedly received a monthly payment for allowing his personal details to be used. He has denied knowingly participating in the alleged fraud, claiming that he was deceived into providing his TAXISnet credentials. He was released following his appearance before an investigating magistrate, subject to a travel ban and regular reporting to a police station.

Born into an affluent family based in Thessaloniki, Petillon grew up between Athens, Mykonos and the Swiss ski resort of Gstaad. His father, Frederikos Petillon, was a successful cosmetics businessman, and the family enjoyed an international lifestyle involving luxury properties, travel and prominent social connections.

After attending the American Community Schools in Athens and the prestigious Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, Petillon began spending his summers on Mykonos. In the mid-1970s, photographer Kalliopi reportedly noticed him on the island and arranged a fashion shoot for Italian Vogue, opening the way to an international modelling career.

He subsequently attracted the attention of major fashion houses, including Gianni Versace and Hugo Boss. The financial rewards were substantial: he has recalled receiving seven million drachmas for a single fashion show appearance at the age of 18. On another occasion, he reportedly spent four million drachmas – a huge sum at the time – at an Armani boutique in Athens’ Kolonaki district.

His modelling career also introduced him to New York’s Studio 54. Through an acquaintance with co-owner Steve Rubell, he entered the exclusive world of the nightclub, where he recalls socializing with Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Jones, Calvin Klein, Jack Nicholson, Richard Gere and Sylvester Stallone.

His romantic relationships also attracted considerable attention. He has described a three-month relationship with Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, daughter of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, whom he accompanied to the Cannes Film Festival. Another prominent relationship was with Swiss actress Ursula Andress, the first actress to play a “Bond girl” on screen. The two reportedly met in Athens and maintained a relationship for approximately two years.

Behind the glamorous lifestyle, however, a serious cocaine addiction was developing. Petillon has spoken about struggling with drugs for approximately 25 years and undergoing treatment at 19 rehabilitation centres in Greece and abroad, with repeated relapses. In one particularly revealing anecdote, he recalled selling his shoes for 3,000 drachmas to obtain money for drugs.

He eventually abandoned his business involvement in a high-profile Athens landmark restaurant and moved to Israel in an attempt to overcome his addiction. He worked in agricultural jobs near the Lebanese border and later as a waiter in Tel Aviv.

His return to Greece coincided with his father’s bankruptcy, which wiped out the family’s wealth. Petillon subsequently moved to the United States, working in construction, sales and restaurants in Los Angeles before relocating to Miami. There, he was arrested on drug possession charges and, according to his own account, spent approximately a year in prison.

A return to modelling helped finance his journey back to Greece in 1995, when his mother was seriously ill with cancer. Her death on Aug. 15 that year became one of the most traumatic episodes of his life. He has recalled being unable to afford the burial expenses and having to dig her grave himself at Athens’ Third Cemetery. Her final words to him, “Who would have believed it? Errikos,” subsequently became the title of his autobiographical book.

His father also experienced a dramatic decline, eventually being imprisoned at Korydallos prison at the age of 85 over debts to the state.

Petillon’s subsequent years were marked by further arrests, attempts at rehabilitation and health difficulties. He was arrested in Glyfada in 1998 and again in Athens’ gritty  Omonia square in 2008 on drug possession charges. In 2014, he spoke publicly about his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Alongside modelling, he appeared in Greek television productions, presented television programmes and hosted a local Playmate beauty pageant in 2007.

By 2019, he was speaking publicly about financial hardship, saying he did not own a home and was looking for employment. He also acknowledged the difficulty of regaining people’s trust.

His latest legal troubles have added another chapter to an extraordinary personal history. The allegations concerning the Thessaloniki tax fraud network remain under judicial investigation, while Petillon maintains that he was deceived and had no knowledge of the alleged criminal activities. The contrast between his years among international celebrities and his subsequent struggle to rebuild his life remains striking.