Tom Ford's husband, fashion editor Richard Buckley, dead at 72

Richard Buckley, Tom Ford's husband and partner of 35 years, has died at the age of 72.

The famed fashion editor and journalist died on Sunday night of "natural causes after a prolonged illness", according to a statement from Ford's representatives.

"It is with great sadness Tom Ford announces the death of his beloved husband of 35 years, Richard Buckley," the statement read. "Richard passed away peacefully at their home in Los Angeles with Tom and their son Jack by his side."

Buckley's career began at New York Magazine in 1979. He went on to work at Women's Wear Daily, Vanity Fair, Mirabella, and Vogue Hommes International.

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Ford, 60, met Buckley at a fashion show in 1986. He previously told Women's Wear Daily it was pretty much love at first sight.

"I went to a fashion show and this silver-haired guy was staring at me with these piercing water-blue eyes," the designer told the publication. "It scared me because I absolutely saw and knew my entire future.

"About 10 days later, someone asked if [Buckley] was seeing anyone. He said, 'No, there was this guy I had seen at a fashion show,' and at that moment, the elevator door opened and there I was. Richard jumps in the elevator and he's practically tap dancing.

"We had three dates. We were living together four weeks later. He gave me the keys to his apartment, and we have lived together ever since."

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The couple had a long and happy relationship and tied the knot in 2014.

"We are now married, which is nice," the then-52-year-old told Vogue UK at the time. "I know that was just made legal in the UK, which is great. We were married in the States."

They welcomed their son Alexander John 'Jack' Buckley Ford, eight, in October 2012.