FASHION guru Isabella Blow killed herself with a massive overdose of weedkiller after becoming depressed about her ''waning celebrity status'' and financial problems, an inquest heard.

Tatler fashion journalist Isabella, 48 - famed for her eccentric outfits - died two days after drinking half a pint of poison 20 times the fatal level.

An inquest this week heard that Isabella had had a 'death wish' since early childhood.

She was found seriously ill at her home in Edge, near Stroud, by her sister Lavinia Verney just a day after returning from a three-week stay at a mental health unit.

Mrs Verney told the inquest in Gloucester that her sister had attempted suicide several times in the past, including jumping out of her moving car.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Ian Pennell, who had seen Isabella since August 2005 and diagnosed her with a ''prolonged depressive illness'' said she had intended to die ''since early childhood''.

Isabella's funeral was held in May at Gloucester Cathedral and attracted hundreds of mourners from the worlds of showbiz, art, and fashion.

Among those who attended were actor Rupert Everett, who gave a passionate address about her, model Sophie Dahl and fashion designer Alexander McQueen The inquest heard Isabella had a family history of suicide and had been told she had ovarian cancer less than one month before her death, following surgery to remove a cyst.

Dr Pennell said Isabella, who married Detmar Blow in 1989, had been deeply affected by witnessing her younger brother drowning when she was two-and-a-half and that she had been ''unable to achieve a pregnancy''.

He added that her paternal grandfather had killed himself after he was acquitted of a murder charge, and that she was aware her father-in-law had killed himself from poisoning.

The inquest heard a week before her death, she bought paraquat - industrial strength weedkiller which is a registered poison - from a farm shop in Thornbury.

At around 9pm on May 5 this year she drank half a pint - or 200mg of the blue liquid - and was discovered at home the next morning by her sister who called an ambulance.

Coroner Alan Crickmore recorded a verdict of suicide and said she repeatedly told accident and emergency staff she had intended to die.

He said: ''I'm satisfied that this lady took poison, intending to take her own life.''