Bettie Page: Dead at 85

Long after her pinup days, Bettie Page served as a symbol of eroticism and female empowerment from the 50s. Now she rests in peace.

Bettie Page, arguably the most famous American pinup model, has passed away at the age of 85. Page was admitted to the Los Angeles Kindred hospital after suffering a heart attack in early December. She had been on life support since then until her passing today. Page was an amateur photographer's dream for most of the 50s. She took very erotic pictures, especially for her era. Page was often dressed (or undressed) wearing dark, sexy lingerie and sporting a devilish look through an innocent face. When her pinup days ended and Page went into seclusion (never showing her face because she wanted fans to remember her in her heyday), her image became a pop culture phenomenon. Page could be found on tattoos, lighters, and reprinted pinups. She was the darling of female empowerment and worshipped by the Rockabilly crowd.

"I have no idea why I'm the only model who has had so much fame so long after quitting work," she said in an interview with The Times in 2006.

A recent movie starring Gretchen Mol as "The Notorious Bettie Page" was featured on HBO in 2005. The movie touched on tragedies that beset Page, to include stays at a mental institution and sexual abuse by her father. The movie depicts Page embracing her sexuality and overcoming those obstacles, eventually turning to religion late in her life. Page is survived by her brother Jack and sister Joyce.