Professionally known as B. Smith, Barbara Elaine Smith died late Saturday after battling Alzheimer’s disease. She was 70.
She was a celebrated American restaurateur, model, author, businesswoman, and television host.
Her husband, Dan Gasby, announced on Facebook that she died Saturday at their home on Long Island, New York. He wrote, “Heaven is shining even brighter now that it is graced with B.’s dazzling and unforgettable smile.”
Smith started her career as a model in the 1960s. In 1976, she became one of the first African-American women on Mademoiselle’s cover. She expanded her modeling career and later became a lifestyle guru, a TV host, and a restaurateur.
In the mid-90s, she hosted a nationally syndicated talk show called “B. Smith With Style.” Smith also ran restaurants in New York and Washington, D.C. She wrote books on cooking and entertaining.
Celebrities and fans paid tribute to Smith on Twitter, remembering the “Renaissance woman” for breaking down barriers for black women in the nation.
Al Roker wrote, “We lost legendary fashion model, chef, restaurateur, lifestyle icon and magazine publisher, B Smith today. 70 years old, she and her husband, Dan Gasby were at the forefront of #alzheimers #research for people of color. Love to them and daughter, Dana.”
“All of these things so true. Thank you B. Smith,” wrote Tamron Hall.
Smith was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013, when she was 64, after experiencing a few espied of forgetfulness.
In 2016, Smith told TODAY she wanted to open up about her Alzheimer’s diagnosis to raise awareness about the condition. Smith and her husband co-wrote a book about living with the condition, which titled, “Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s.”
