Jade Goody facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jade Goody
Goody in 2007
Born	Jade Cerisa Lorraine Goody (1981-06-05)5 June 1981 London, England
Died	22 March 2009(2009-03-22) (aged 27) Upshire, Essex, England
Cause of death	Cervical cancer
Resting place	Epping Forest
Occupation	Television personality
Years active	2002–2009
Known for	Big Brother
Spouse(s)	Jack Tweed ​ (m. 2009)​
Partner(s)	Jeff Brazier (2002–2004)
Children	2, including Bobby Brazier
Parent(s)	Jackiey Budden (mother)

Jade Cerisa Lorraine Goody (born 5 June 1981 – died 22 March 2009) was an English television personality. She became well-known in 2002 after appearing on the third series of the reality TV show Big Brother on Channel 4. After leaving the show, she starred in her own TV programs and launched various products.

At first, some British newspapers criticized Jade. But other magazines showed her friendly side and good school performance. In 2007, she faced public criticism while on Celebrity Big Brother 5. She apologized afterwards, but still faced negative reactions. In 2008, she joined Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Big Brother. However, she left early to return to the UK after finding out she had cervical cancer. By February 2009, her cancer had spread, and she was very ill. She married Jack Tweed on 22 February 2009 and passed away a month later, at age 27.

By the time she died, public opinion of Jade had become much kinder. Sky Living aired five tribute shows about her life from 2009 to 2012. The final episode of Big Brother on Channel 4 also featured a tribute to her.

Early Life and Background

Jade Cerisa Lorraine Goody was born in Bermondsey, London, on 5 June 1981. Her mother was Jackiey Budden, and her father was Andrew Goody. Her grandfather came to the UK from the West Indies in 1956.

When she was five, Jade appeared briefly in the 1986 TV film London's Burning. Before becoming famous on Big Brother, Jade worked as a dental nurse. She lived in Upshire, Essex, which is where she was living when she died.

Television Career and Fame

Starting with Big Brother 3 (2002–2003)

Jade Goody became famous when she appeared on Big Brother 3 in 2002. Some newspapers made fun of her for not knowing much about general topics. For example, she thought Cambridge was in London. When told it was in East Anglia, she thought East Anglia was outside Britain.

Growing Fame and TV Shows (2003–2006)

After Big Brother, Jade starred in her own reality TV shows. She also appeared regularly in celebrity magazines like Heat and OK!. In 2006, she took part in the London Marathon. She had to stop before finishing the race and recovered in the Royal London Hospital.

Before the marathon, she joked to TV chef Gordon Ramsay about her training. She said, "I've been eating curry, Chinese and drinking." Afterwards, she admitted, "I don't really understand miles. I didn't actually know how far it was going to be." Jade raised £565.20 for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children charity.

On 16 February 2004, Jade joined the Back to Reality house on Channel 5. This show was similar to Big Brother but featured contestants from other reality shows. She left the show on day 20.

In 2005, Jade launched her own perfume called "Shh...". It became the third-best-selling perfume at Superdrug stores. In 2006, her autobiography, Jade: My Autobiography, was published. That same year, she won a celebrity version of the ITV singing show Stars in Their Eyes. She performed "Rose Garden" as Lynn Anderson.

Return to TV and Final Projects (2008–2009)

In 2008, Jade announced plans for her second perfume line, "Controversial". In mid-2008, she appeared on Bigg Boss 2, the Indian version of Big Brother. She entered the house on 17 August.

Two days into the show, she received a diagnosis of cervical cancer. She immediately left the show and flew back to England. The scenes where she learned about her diagnosis were not shown in India.

A TV documentary called Living With Jade Goody aired in September 2008. In October, she opened her second beauty salon for men, called "Homme Fatel". Her second autobiography, Jade: Catch A Falling Star, was also published. A documentary film, Jade's Cancer Battle, was shown on 11 December. At the end of 2008, she played the Wicked Queen in a Christmas play of Snow White in Lincoln. She received good reviews but had to leave the show in January 2009 due to her health.

Personal Life and Family

Jade Goody had two sons with TV presenter Jeff Brazier. Her son Bobby was born in June 2003, and Freddy was born in September 2004. In 2006, she started a relationship with Jack Tweed. Jack lived with Jade and her children in Buckhurst Hill, Essex.

Jade and Jack got married on 22 February 2009 at Down Hall country house. Jade wore a beautiful £3,500 dress, which was a gift from Harrods. The couple made a deal with OK! magazine for exclusive photos of their wedding.

Illness and Public Awareness

Jade Goody had several health concerns in the 2000s. In 2002, a cervical smear test showed some unusual cells. She also had tests for other health issues in 2004 and 2006, which were negative.

In August 2008, she had more hospital tests after collapsing several times. On 19 August, while on the Indian reality show Bigg Boss, Jade was told that tests confirmed she had cervical cancer. Her spokesperson said it seemed to be at an early stage.

On 1 September 2008, it was reported that Jade's cancer was serious. She would need surgery and chemotherapy. Doctors gave her a 65 percent chance of survival. After more tests and surgery, she began chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In an interview, Jade said she was planning her funeral. She was also losing her hair and decided not to explain her illness to her young children.

On 4 February 2009, Jade's publicist, Max Clifford, confirmed that her cancer had spread. Her chance of survival was removed, and she began treatment to extend her life. On 7 February, she had emergency surgery to remove a tumor.

On 14 February, doctors confirmed that her cancer was terminal. This meant she would not recover. She was told she might only have weeks or a few months to live. Jade then started making plans for her sons' future.

On 5 March, Jade asked to be baptised in the hospital. Two days later, she and her sons were christened. This was her last public appearance. She had already said goodbye to her family.

When the news spread that Jade's cancer was terminal, more women in the UK started asking for cervical cancer screening. This was a positive change, as demand for screening had been falling. On 13 March 2009, government health ministers agreed to review the National Health Service policy. This policy did not screen for cervical cancer until age 25 in England. Jade said she was "immensely proud" to have caused this review.

Death and Tributes

Jade Goody passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Upshire, Essex, on 22 March 2009. She was 27 years old. Her mother, husband, and a family friend were with her.

Her funeral service took place on 4 April at St John the Baptist Church in Buckhurst Hill, Essex. She was buried in her wedding dress near her home in Epping Forest. Her sons did not attend the funeral. Thousands of people watched the service on large screens outside the church. Sky News broadcast the service live from outside.

Media Coverage and Tributes

A car in Goody's funeral procession in The Blue, with East Angula [sic] spelt out in flowers

Jade's death was widely covered by British media. She received tributes from many people. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called her "a courageous woman." He said the country admired her determination to provide a good future for her children.

From 2009 to 2012, Sky Living aired five tribute shows about Jade's life. The final episode of Big Brother on Channel 4 also featured a 15-minute tribute. In April 2009, Digital Spy called Jade the "ultimate reality TV star."

In December 2009, The Independent reported that Jade was the most-mourned celebrity of 2009. She received over 600 tributes online. This was more than Patrick Swayze, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson, who also died that year. The premiere of Big Brother 10 was dedicated to her memory.

In August 2019, a three-part series about Jade's life aired. It included new footage and interviews with people who had not spoken publicly about her since her death. These included Davina McCall, Dermot O'Leary, and her ex-partner, Jeff Brazier.

Raising Cervical Cancer Awareness

In October 2009, it was reported that more women in the United Kingdom were getting pap tests. The number of women aged 25 to 64 getting screened had increased by 12 percent in one year. This increase was credited to Jade Goody's public fight with cervical cancer.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said, "Jade's bravery and openness in her fight against cervical cancer has shown young women across the country the importance of regularly going for these checks." Gordon Brown also stated that Jade's family could be proud of her work to raise awareness. This work would help thousands of women across the UK.

Filmography

Books

• Jade: My Autobiography

Fitness DVDs

• Jade's All New Diet (with Steve Kemsley, 2003)
• Jade (with Steve Kemsley, 2004)
• Jade's Workout/Workout with Helen – The "Girls" from Big Brother (with Helen Adams, 2004)
• The Big Brother Collection: Jade's Dance Workout, Dance Workout with Helen Adams and Latino Dance Workout with Nadia (2005)
• Jade's Shape Challenge (2006)

See also

In Spanish: Jade Goody para niños