Bettie Page

Much can be speculated about what turned Bettie Page into the sexual icon she is known as. A lot of it can be traced back to her childhood, when her father started sexually abusing her at the age of thirteen. She was ashamed that her nymphomaniac father gave her her first sexual experience, especially since sex was something that was never discussed in that era. She escaped her troubling home life by getting involved in almost every club and organization in her Tennessee high school.

Bettie had always dreamed of becoming an actress and even lost class valedictorian in favor of her school’s play. However, her passion was for acting and the high school plays she participated in did not quench her thirst. In t

he back of her mind, she kept that dream going, even as she received her BA in Education at Peabody College (members.tripod.com/~spaceagegirl/bet5.html). Bettie’s teaching career was something she only briefly entertained, since her young marriage moved her to San Francisco. To pass the time while her husband was away on leave, she began modeling in local newspaper ads, her first being modeling fur coats.

When Bettie’s husband returned from the service, they moved around the country, finally settling in Miami. She took a job as a secretary until both the job and her marriage fell apart. Bettie set her sites on New York City, where she thought she could spark the acting flame once again. She took another job as a secretary to pay the bills. One day, while walking around Coney Island, she was discovered by Jerry Tibbs (members.tripod.com/~spaceagegirl/bet5.html). This would be the man that would change her life forever.

It was the connections she made with Jerry Tibbs that allowed Bettie’s modeling career to flourish. Mr. Tibbs’ comrades enjoyed using Bettie as the subject of their photos because of her willingness to pose in the nude. "I was never one who was squeamish about nudity. I don't believe in being promiscuous about it (BettiePage.com)." The medium excited her and she worked hard to get the photos of her out to the public. In the pictures of Bettie where she was wearing clothing, it was often that of her own design. Bettie took her career into her own hands, making sure that she held control of her fate. The control was empowering to her, and pushed her along as if it were her drug.

Some topics in this essay:
Bettie Page, Jerry Tibbs, BettiePagecom Klaw, San Francisco, Robert Harrison, Harrison Bettie, USATodaycom Despite, Photos Bettie, Paula Bettie, Tibbs York, jerry tibbs, bettie page, november 23rd, 23rd 2003, november 23rd 2003, bettiepagecom november 23rd, pictures bettie, tibbs bettie, bettiepagecom november, cut bangs, bettie’s career, bettiepagecom photos,