For decades, Barbara Smith or B. Smith as she was affectionately known stood as a titan for black entrepreneurship, modeling and more. When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she, her husband Dan Gasby and daughter Dana continued to tell her story and keep her brand alive.
Sadly, B. Smith passed away on Saturday night in the family’s Long Island home. She was 70.
Gasby announced the death of the groundbreaking model, restaurant owner and lifestyle guru saying, “It is with great sadness that my daughter Dana and I announce the passing of my wife, Barbara Elaine Smith.”
Beginning as a model in the 1960s, she later signed to Wilhelmina and in 1976 became the first black woman to be featured on a cover of Mademoiselle.
The grind did not stop for Smith as she went on to open three of her popular B. Smith restaurants, two of which are in New York (New York City and Long Island) and a third in Washington D.C.
She grew her empire even more with the launch of B. Smith Style, a television and lifestyle show that hosted some of entertainment’s best such as Gladys Knight and more.
RELATED: Living With Alzheimer’s: B. Smith & Husband Dan Gasby Share Their Inspiring Story
The Latest:
- Kandi Burruss Talks Broadway Debut, Escape SWV Tour, and Leaving Real Housewives
- Crystal Mason Update: Texas DA Moves To Reverse Black Woman’s Recently Overturned Voting Fraud Conviction
- Diddy’s Alleged “Drug Mule” Pleads Not Guilty To Possession
- ‘TIME 100’ Honoree Taraji P. Henson Is Gorgeous In A Green Custom Thom Browne Gown
- Victoria Monét Inspires Black Women By Sharing Part Of Her Real-Life Struggles With PCOS
- The Tragic Death Of Missing Mother Tomitka Jurnett-Stewart Must Finally Call Us To National Action
- Tupac Shakur’s Estate Threatens Legal Action Against Drake Over AI-Generated Voice
- Brian Tyree Henry The Latest Big Name Attached To Pharrell Williams-Produced Musical
- Jeezy Accused By Jeannie Mai Of Spousal Abuse & Child Neglect
- Tupac Shakur’s Estate Threatens Drake With Legal Action, Gives The Rapper 24 Hours To Take Down “Taylor Made Freestyle”
B. Smith, Lifestyle Guru And Famed Style Expert Passes Away At 70 was originally published on myhoustonmajic.com