Bettie Page was born 98 years ago today.
A model who gained a significant profile in the 1950s for her pin-up photos, Page is often referred to as the "Queen of Pinups.” Her jet black hair, blue eyes and trademark bangs have influenced artists for generations.
A native of Nashville, Page lived in California in her early adult years before moving to New York City to pursue work as an actress. There, she began to find work as a pin-up model and posed for dozens of photographers throughout the 1950s. Page was "Miss January, 1955," one of the earliest Playmates of the Month for Playboy magazine.
"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," said Playboy founder, Hugh Hefner, to the Associated Press in 2008.
In 1959, Page converted to evangelical Christianity and worked for Billy Graham, studying at Bible colleges in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, with the intent of becoming a missionary. The latter part of Page's life was marked by depression, violent mood swings and several years in a state psychiatric hospital suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
After years of obscurity, she experienced a resurgence of popularity in the 1980s. In 2006, Page and Halo Guitars collaborated to produce a limited edition of custom guitars, released at the 2007 Winter NAMM show in southern California.
The total run of one hundred guitars was handmade and designed by luthier Waylon Ford and the art was designed by Pamelina H. It was the only collector guitar series authorized by Bettie Page.
Page’s influence on popular culture was enormous.
Said MTV: "Katy Perry's rocker bangs and throwback skimpy jumpers. Madonna's Sex book and fascination with bondage gear. Rihanna's obsession with all things leather, lace and second-skin binding. Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction. The SuicideGirls Web site. The Pussycat Dolls. The entire career of burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese and Bernie Dexter" would not have been possible without Page.”
In 2011, Page’s estate made the Forbes annual list of top-earning dead celebrities, earning $6 million and tied with the estates of George Harrison and Andy Warhol, at 13th on the list. In 2014, Forbes estimated that Page's estate earned $10 million in 2013.
Page died on December 11, 2008 at age 85.