Donatella Versace has decided to announce to the world that her daughter is being “consumed” by anorexia. The fashion designer and her former husband Paul Beck have released a joint statement announcing the serious health problems their daughter Allegra Versace is confronted with.

The 20-year-old girl apparently has been suffering from anorexia for “several years” now and the condition has become so serious that she has been hospitalized.

“My daughter is very ill”, Donatella and Paul Beck say in the statement. “Anorexia is consuming her and we are very worried. However, the doctors are doing all they can to snatch her away from this cruel disease and we have faith in them.

“Please think of us and respect our pain. Many mothers will know well what I am going through and what my daughter is risking.”

The famed fashion designer added: “Sadly she has been suffering from this disease for some years and the cures have only been temporary. For some time the situation has become worse and that is why we decided to place her in a designated specialized clinic where she is receiving the best possible treatment.”

Allegra is merely 20 now. When she turned 18 she inherited half the £300 million Versace fashion empire from her late uncle Gianni Versace. Gianni, 50, was shot dead on the steps of his Miami home in 1997. Allegra was only 11 at the time and reportedly very close to her uncle.

After leaving school in Milan, she flew to New York to study English and drama. She has lived there since 2004.

An enormous legacy lies on her delicate shoulders. As Gianni Versace left 50 percent of his fashion empire to Allegra, 30 percent to his older brother, Santo, and 20 percent to his younger sister, Donatella, Allegra is heiress to that great huge empire. The future of the Versace company depends on her.

Anorexia, a ‘mental illness,’ has become increasingly ‘popular among young girls and women. Ironically enough, but in a very sad sad way, Allegra’s mom herself contributes to this situation, as she is neck-deep in the fashion business.

Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition. Approximately 10% of those who are diagnosed with the disorder eventually dying due to related causes.