Like many young girls in the 1950s, Bettie Page moved to New York looking to become an actress. And while most of those girls never realized their ambitions, Bettie found something else: a career as a pinup and softcore porn model.
Her striking looks and unique style, not to mention her apparent willingness to pose for anything, made her a star for the kinksters of the Fifties. Even after she quit the sex biz and became a born-again Christian in the 1960s, Bettie’s images continued to inspire artists, fashionistas, and horny people.
By the 80s, Bettie had struggled with mental illness, poverty, and multiple marriages — and at the same time, she’d become an artistic icon without even knowing it. When Bettie’s modern-day fans tracked her down, she was shocked at her newfound fame, not to mention all the people who were making money off her image!
The Notorious Bettie Page was a movie made about her life. Gretchen Mol played the role of Page and surprisingly, she did a really good job.
Here’s the iconic Page doing a little sexy dance:
There are a ton of Bettie Page nude photos out there, from all the photoshoots she did early on in her career. Many of them were black and white although there were many in color as well. They’re rather explicit for their time and were totally awesome. That proud bush!