The Real Bettie Page

Book excerpt: “Scrupulously researched . . . An eloquent fan, Foster brings insight into Page’s recent revival as a sex symbol.” —Entertainment Weekly TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY EDITION UPDATED BY THE AUTHOR WITH A NEW EPILOGUE She has been called the most photographed model in history. From her modest beginnings in Nashville to her legacy as a cult figure, here is the true story of America’s iconic pinup queen, legendary Playboy centerfold Bettie Page—including her stormy marriages, her trial for attempted murder, and her decade-long isolation in a California mental institution. During the 1950s, Bettie set hearts ablaze with her killer curves and girl-next-door smile. Yet at the height of her popularity, with a promising acting career before her, she walked away. For more than thirty years, Bettie stayed hidden from the public eye, though she lived on in her fans’ memories, much like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. Journalist Richard Foster became the first reporter to contact Page during her long absence, and the first to tell her full story. Using interviews with those who knew her, and filled with uncommon knowledge and insights, The Real Bettie Page reveals both the fun flirt and fashion-forward counter-culture icon whose style continues to inspire today, as well as the intriguing and complex, flesh-and-blood woman behind her smiling photos. Includes classic and rare color and black-and-white photos