Pinup model Bettie Page died December 11, 2008 at age 85 after her family agreed to discontinue life support. She had been in a coma after a heart attack a week earlier.
Page had a long, well-documented and inconsistent career, marked by an ebullient personality, a wide variety of interests, husbands and new starts. She appeared in thousands of photo magazines, films, and personal appearances. A new generation became interested in Bettie Page the 1980s and 1990s; her photos and films were re-released and became instantly collectible. In 2006 Page was the subject of a critically acclaimed biopic, The Notorious Bettie Page.
“I think that she was a remarkable lady, an iconic figure in pop culture who influenced sexuality, taste in fashion, someone who had a tremendous impact on our society,” Playboy founder Hugh Hefner told the Associated Press. Page appeared as a centerfold model in one of Playboy’s earliest editions.
In 1979 Page was committed by a California court to the Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino, California where she she spent 20 months. She was given a diagnosis of schizophrenia. After a fight with her landlord, Page was court committed to state psychiatric supervision for eight years. Her final exit from Patton State Hospital was in 1992.
Page was a longtime believer in Christianity, and attended Multnomah Bible College in Portland, Oregon at one point. She worked in the 1960s for Billy Graham in Florida. Page’s funeral service was delivered by television evangelist Dr. Robert Schuller.
EXTRA – Official obituary page
EXTRA – Associated Press obituary
EXTRA – Pinup model Bettie Page dies in L.A. at 85, MSNBC.com
Bettie,
we all love you and miss you sorely, may you rest in peace of your most desired paradise. yo uhave influence so many youg woman to be models and live life to the fullest. as my tribute to you i have styled my bangs just as you wore them and colored my haiar the same darkness that was your. you were beautiful when you were young and i am sure you were just as beautiful and you got older.
sincerly,
your loving fan
~Kitty
Bettie was as icon who will live on forever in our hearts. There will never be another Bettie Mae Page. Her name and her photos will live on forever. I am very proud to be a collector of her work and to have known such an amazing woman. There will never be another. Rest in peace miss Bettie. We love you. You naughty little minx.
Perfect example of how backwards our society has become. She has further shown our women how to be oppressed and enjoy being oppressed. Yet another woman which society adores. How is a woman suppose to raise another generation following a character like Betty Page? Well that’s Christianity for you! One he’ll of a contradiction. Islam wins over all when it comes to moral values.
We love you Bettie! Ms. Page was the sexiest and most beautiful model ever! Her style was incredible and her personality spectacular. I miss you Bettie Mae Page.
What a woman! One of the most beautiful creatures God ever created and put on this earth! You brightened, changed, and influenced so many lives; mine included! I will never be the same after having you come into my life. My only regret is not having a chance to have known you, as both a friend and a lover. I was truly born at the wrong time. I would have been proud to have had you as my girlfriend or even wife! You are still deeply missed Bettie, I love you.
forever in my heart,
Ray
~
Had no idea you suffered with schizophrenia… Rest in peace beautiful