Last years tragic loss of a 50′s Pin-Up icon
Although this news headline is already a few month old, we at PinUpReport.com decided that it is our duty (and honour) to dedicate our ‘very first’ blog posting on this brand new and exciting PinUp Blog Site to no other than to the ‘Queen of all PinUps’ – Bettie Page who tragically past away on December, 4th, 2008.
In the 50’s, Bettie’s trademark were high heels and bangs and the legendary pinup’s nude pictures, usually dressed up in bondage and in ‘Naughty-but Nice’ poses appeared in men’s magazines and private bedroom sideboards all across the United States throughout the late 50’s and is said to have started the US’ ‘sex revolution’ during the rebellious 60’s.
Mark Roesler, her agent, reported her death on Bettie’s web site, thebettiepage.com
In the last 20 years, between 1998 and 2008 Bettie’s popularity underwent a cult-like revival. Mrs. Page fell ill with pneumonia and was hospitalized for just over two weeks and was expected to become an outpatient on the 2nd December when she suddenly suffered a fatal heart attack Mr. Roesler of CMG Worldwide said. She was already in a coma when she was rush-transferred to Kindred Hospital, where she eventually died.
Known as the most famous post World War II pinup girl, Bettie was mostly seen and photographed in her trademark raven bangs, spiked high heels while showing off her killer curves. She became a centrefold on millions of locker doors and auto garage walls all across America.
Senator Estes Kefauver’s anti-pornography investigators were disturbed by her major influence on normal folk and most noticeably her influence on the fashion industry who went hard to work to quickly transform her style of fashion into New York’s and many other major US city’s nightlife establishments.
At the height of her fame, in 1957, she disappeared, and her private life became a mystery to all but a few close friends. Rumour speaks of two failed marriages, hospitalisation for mental illness, bankruptcy, years of seclusion in California and a resurrection as a born-again Christian.
Bettie managed to live off the proceeds of her late revival in her remaining years and agreed to give several rare interviews but mainly continued to stay out of the public eye. At all her late interviews, Ms. Page made it a condition that no photographs be taken.
In one of her last interviews given to the L.A. Times in 2006, Bettie said: “Although I often played a part in many outrages ‘Girls Gossip News Headlines’ I want to be remembered as I was when I was young and in my golden times.” “I would like to be remembered as the girl model which changed people’s perspectives concerning nudity in all its natural form”
We at PinUpReport.com share this view and still feel heartbroken by her loss. We would like to give a tribute to her fantastic achievement and glamorous pinup life which ignited the dreams and hopes of millions of girls across the world.
