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Katya Saunders

1957 – 2019

Maltese fashion model and transgender activist

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About Katya Saunders

Lived 1957 – 2019 (aged 61). Katya Saunders was a Maltese model.

Katya Saunders (10 April 1957 – 27 January, 2019) was a Maltese LGBTIQ+ icon who was one of the first openly transgender women and gay activists in Malta. She was also a well-known cabaret performer in clubs in Malta and London throughout the 1970s.

Saunders spent a portion of her life living in London and New York, where she became a known figure in fashion circles and is described as being the muse behind some of fashion designers Charles & Ron's collections.

Saunders is credited as being responsible for starting an LGBTIQ+ community in Malta and was closely associated with the City of London Bar in St.Julian's, where her photos are still displayed prominently.

Her death was marked by tributes from members of the LGBTIQ+ community, who described her as a mentor and an inspirational figure for past and current gay activists. Her funeral was held at the Balluta Church, in Sliema, followed by a wake at the City of London Bar.

Saunders’ life is detailed in a biography titled Katya: Easy on the Tonic, written by journalist Ramona Depares and published by MGRM in 2022. The publication was accompanied by an exhibition at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta, showcasing her clothes and memorabilia, curated by Charlie Cauchi and Romeo Roxman Gatt.

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Important facts

Birth century
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Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Katya Saunders's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Katya Saunders?

Maltese fashion model and transgender activist

When was Katya Saunders born?

Katya Saunders was born on 10 April 1957.

When did Katya Saunders die?

Katya Saunders died on 27 January 2019.

What was Katya Saunders's occupation?

Katya Saunders was a model.

What nationality was Katya Saunders?

Katya Saunders was Maltese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Katya Saunders

· Wikidata: Q122023344

· DBpedia: Katya Saunders

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Katya Saunders. https://biography.guide/katya-saunders/

MLA: "Katya Saunders." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/katya-saunders/.

Chicago: "Katya Saunders." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/katya-saunders/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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