From the BettiePage.com Site




From the BettiePage.com Site




From the BettiePage.com Site

Born Bettie Mae Page in 1923, in Nashville Tennessee, her early life was one of stark contrasts. Despite being molested by her father (who was later imprisoned), caring for siblings while her mother worked two jobs, and spending a year in an orphanage, Bettie excelled in school. A member of her high school debate team, she ranked second in her graduating class and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed." Indeed she was on her way, having won a scholarship and then obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree from George Peabody College in 1944. Although she had already begun to study acting, she was married in 1943 just before her husband was drafted into Naval service in World War II, and she eventually divorced him in 1947.

By 1950, Bettie was working in New York, attempting to pursue acting when she "drifted innocently" into modeling and posing for camera clubs, in swimsuits and costumes that she had made, in the nude, in lingerie, and famously in fetish outfits with bondage and whip accoutrements. By 1955, her reputation was secure, posing as the centerfold model in the January issue of Playboy magazine and given the title "Miss Pin-up Girl of the World.

What made Bettie such a phenomena then and keeps her popular now as one of the coolest of pin-up tattoos? It certainly can't hurt to have beauty of face and form and, simply but irresistibly, a beautiful smile. Known also as the "Girl with the Perfect Figure", she was 5 feet, 5 1/2 inches tall, weighed 128 pounds, and measured 36-23-35, the classic hourglass figure. And yet, there is much more to her appeal than physical facts. Overwhelmingly, no matter the outfit or setting for her photos, Bettie Page exudes playfulness. More often than not, she looks directly into the camera lens and smiles. She seems completely guileless and even innocent, despite the fact that the photos are intentionally provocative and overtly sexy.

Although at times her later life took unfortunate turns, she managed to take control of it, even taking a turn as a missionary in Angola. Even though she attempted to avoid the public eye and interviews, it is the pubic that is eventually having the final word, making Bettie as popular now as she has ever been. Whether she inspires postcard collectors, authors, or tattoo artists and their clients, our fascination with Bettie seems undiminished. A woman of many contrasts, from early scholastic honors and a life of hardship, to Playboy centerfold and evangelist, she is impossible to capture in so many words but, luckily, her remaining pictures speak volumes for her.