B. Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
B. Smith
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Smith in 2016
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| Born |
Barbara Elaine Smith
August 24, 1949 Everson, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | February 22, 2020 (aged 70) Long Island, New York, U.S
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| Education | Southmoreland High School |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1973–2015 |
| Known for | First African-American model featured on Mademoiselle magazine (1976) |
| Spouse(s) |
Donald Anderson
(m. 1986; div. 1990)Dan Gasby
(m. 1992) |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | Global eclectic with Southern influences |
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Previous restaurant(s)
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Television show(s)
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Barbara Elaine Smith (August 24, 1949 – February 22, 2020), known professionally as B. Smith, was an amazing American woman. She was a successful restaurant owner, a model, an author, a smart businesswoman, and a fun television host.
Contents
B. Smith's Early Life and School
B. Smith was born on August 24, 1949. Her hometown was Everson, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. Her mom, Florence, worked as a maid, and her dad, William, was a steelworker.
B. Smith grew up in Scottdale, Pennsylvania. She went to Southmoreland High School and finished in 1967. In high school, she wanted to join the Future Homemakers of America club. But they wouldn't let her in because of her race. So, B. Smith decided to start her own homemaking club! She became its president.
B. Smith's Exciting Career
B. Smith had a very busy and successful career. She worked in modeling, television, and even owned restaurants.
Modeling and TV Appearances
In the mid-1960s, B. Smith started her career as a model. She walked in the Ebony Fashion Fair. Later, she signed with the Wilhelmina Models agency. In 1976, B. Smith made history. She was the first African-American model to be on the cover of Mademoiselle magazine.
B. Smith also appeared on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood twice. Once, she modeled a wedding dress for Queen Sara. Another time, she showed Fred Rogers her restaurant, B. Smith. They even made raspberry custard together! She taught kids about washing hands. She also shared her dream: to feed people, a dream she had since she was little, feeding her dolls.
Her own TV show, B. Smith with Style, started in 1997. It was a weekly show that taught viewers about home decor and cooking.
B. Smith also appeared on the TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch in 1999. She played herself in an episode called "Prelude to a Kiss."
Owning Restaurants and Stores
B. Smith loved food and design, which led her to open several restaurants. They were all named B. Smith. Her first restaurant opened in New York City in 1986. It later moved to Restaurant Row. She also opened restaurants in Sag Harbor, Long Island, and in Union Station in Washington, D.C..
Her love for decorating led her to create her own home collection. It first appeared in stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond in 2001. She also launched a line of serveware (dishes and serving items) in 2004. In 2010, B. Smith introduced her first furniture collection.
B. Smith as an Author
B. Smith wrote three cookbooks. These books focused on recipes and how to present food beautifully. Her books include:
- B. Smith's Entertaining and Cooking for Friends (1995)
- B. Smith's Rituals and Celebrations (1999)
- B. Smith Cooks Southern Style (2009)
In 2016, B. Smith and her husband, Dan Gasby, wrote a book called Before I Forget. This book shared their personal journey after B. Smith was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.
B. Smith's Family Life
B. Smith was married two times. She did not have her own children, but she was a loving stepmother to Dana Gasby. Dana is her second husband Dan Gasby's daughter. B. Smith married Dan Gasby in 1992.
B. Smith lived in Sag Harbor, New York, on Long Island. Later, she and Dan Gasby moved to East Hampton, New York.
B. Smith's Health Journey
In June 2014, B. Smith shared that she had been diagnosed with Early-onset Alzheimer's disease. This is a type of Alzheimer's that affects people at a younger age. She wanted to share her story to help others understand the disease better.
B. Smith passed away on February 22, 2020, at the age of 70. She died from complications of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
See also
In Spanish: B. Smith para niños
