B. Smith — real name Barbara Elaine Smith, — the iconic model, TV personality and businesswoman who spoke candidly about her diagnosis in 2013 with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, has died at age 70.
Smith’s husband, Dan Gasby, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram.
While Smith was a successful model, restaurateur, businesswoman, author and television host, her final legacy was helping encourage more research on Alzheimer’s for people of color.
Smith really did do it all. She was an accomplished chef, author and restaurateur, but fans got to know Smith even better as host of the nationally syndicated show “B. Smith With Style.”
She had been called “the black Martha Stewart” — and addressed the comparison in a 1997 interview with New York magazine.
In 2001, Smith launched her first home decor collection at Bed Bath & Beyond. Smith’s line has since expanded to other retail partners, including Belk, Burlington, Home Depot, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Macy’s and Stein Mart.
She told Al Roker on the TODAY show in 2015 about her diagnosis and desire to help further Alzheimer’s research.
“I had tears in my eyes,” she said. “But at the same time I also said, ‘I’m not going to give to it. I am going to fight.'”
B. Smith may be gone but the fight will still go on. Rest in peace, queen.
