Bettie Page 1923-2008
Bettie Page, legendary pinup queen died on Thursday of pneumonia at the age of 85 in a Los Angeles hospital, a week after suffering a heart attack.
Page had a large following of worshipers of men and women of all ages. She was ahead of her time and will be continued to be seen as an icon of 1950’s culture.
The All about Bettie Page said, “Bettie has been resurrected time and time again – and now, into the 21st Century, she still thrives in the underground (and not so underground) limelight, delighting a variety of folks from different strokes – all of whom adore her raven-haired-bangs and curvaceous figure, not to mention the twinkle in her eye and the sweetness of her smile.”
Her agent Mike Roesler said in a written statement, “”She captured the imagination of a generation of men and women with her free spirit and unabashed sensuality. She is the embodiment of beauty.”
“Her popularity as an underground, guilty pleasures phenomenon has continued to soar despite the fact that the reclusive Page disappeared almost a half century ago, leading many to believe that one of the most photographed individuals of the 20th century was already dead.” Roesler said.
Page was one of the first women to appear in Playboy and posed for many other magazines, posters and photographs. She was thought to be a sultry mix between provocative and sweet.
Some of her photographs were shrouded in controversy, with the U.S. lawmakers believing them to be pornographic. By today’s standards the photos are quite tame and Page has stood up against the test of time with cult followings and millions of dedicated websites to prove it, including the Bettie Page Memorial site.
Rest in Peace