good night, Bettie

by Violet Blue on December 11, 2008

Image via Marc Wathieu.

I just unexpectedly burst into tears when I just got a text message saying: Bettie Page, icon, influencer of style and sweet fetish sexuality — has died (latimes.com). Good night, Bettie. You changed my life for the better. You brought a smile to all of us, and turned us on at the same time. Thank you.

Update/see also: This is the best obit post (linking to an excellent Reason Magazine feature on her from last year) for Bettie I’ve read yet: Roped and Trussed Just Like Dear Bettie Page (reason.com)

Update 2: The best send-off photo collection (with lots of kewt nude pics) of Bettie is in this post at ponyXpress.

Violet Blue

The London Times named Violet Blue "One of the 40 bloggers who really count" and Self Magazine named TinyNibbles one of the “Best Sex Resources for Women.” Blue is an autodidact and pundit on sex and technology, hacking and security, porn for women, privacy and bleeding-edge tech culture. She is a journalist for ZDNet, CBS News, CNET; she's an educator, speaker, crisis counselor, volunteer NGO trainer, and the author and editor of over 40 award-winning books.

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{ 11 comments }

1 Mike December 21, 2008 at 6:12 am: Bettie Page. Shania Twain.

What do they have in common?

Two really hot women pretty disconnected from their sexuality, but using it to make a living.

I know I’m the contrarian here, but there’s something sad about both their careers. I read several Bettie Page interviews and she wasn’t having nearly as much fun as we were. Same for Shania.
2 Nathan December 14, 2008 at 7:21 am: First George Carlin and now Bettie Page. We have lost two legends this year and I have felt the sting of both their deaths.
3 MzLibrarian December 13, 2008 at 10:34 am: I was talking about this yesterday with the folks at work. Only one person — out of just over a dozen — had any idea who she was. We’re talking people ranging in age from 30 to 70. The closest guess? “Was she that woman who sang the “You give me Fever” song?” Sheesh. I work with a sheltered bunch of lumps.

I like that even after she was saved, she still said that sexuality and nudity were natural.
4 Cadence December 12, 2008 at 4:38 pm: I just discovered Bettie a few years ago. She was incredible. What an inspiration to women to defy the tight restrictions that society places on our sexuality!!! She will be missed.
5 Domitor December 12, 2008 at 5:13 am: Bettie’s left her mark on humanity, and has forever changed how we view sexuality, femininity and bangs. :’)

Rather than feeling sad, I somehow feel happy, knowing that she ever even existed. So much of what’s important to me probably wouldn’t exist w/o her having brought so much of it to light.

She was a good egg — my world’s a better place because of her.
6 Black Pearl December 12, 2008 at 3:33 am: My heart breaks. Thank you, Betty.
7 David December 12, 2008 at 1:26 am: I keep thinking 2008 couldn’t get any worse, then it does. A legend has passed on today, and we’ll never see one like her ever again.
8 TruckerRich December 11, 2008 at 9:51 pm: Wow, she sure was a very cute lady…
9 Marcy December 11, 2008 at 9:11 pm: Her smile, her sexuality, her unquestioning confidence… Good Night Betty… nobody will ever compare.
10 Derwoody December 11, 2008 at 9:05 pm: SOMEBODY had to be who she was, and we are grateful it was Bettie Page.
11 Sean B. December 11, 2008 at 8:51 pm: Here’s a hug for you, Violet, as we wish Betty adieu.