14 DAY TRIAL // After spending most of her adult life in the public eye, British reality star Jade Goody passed away in her sleep a few hours ago, after a long suffering, a publicist for the family has confirmed. Goody had cervical cancer and spent the last months of her life securing the future of her two sons via several media deals thought to be worth about £1 million.
“The 27-year-old, who was told she had cancer in August while appearing on Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Big Brother, died in her sleep at her home in Upshire, Esssex, at 3.14am.” The Guardian informs, based on what publicist Max Clifford revealed in a press statement. “Clifford said Goody’s mother, Jackiey Budden, and husband Jack Tweed were at her side. A family friend, Kevin Adams, was also there. Budden called Clifford to tell him: ‘My beautiful daughter is at peace’.” the publication further reports.
Goody shot to fame in 2002 whilst appearing on the reality show Big Brother and has, ever since, enjoyed a mixed reception in the media. She was first blasted for the ignorance she displayed while on the show, when she thought Rio de Janeiro was a person, among other things. In the following years, she made the most of her newly-acquired celebrity status by releasing DVDs, a book and opening a beauty salon.
In 2007, Jade Goody made local and international headlines again after being accused of racism on the celebrity version of Big Brother, where she bullied Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty. She received the cancer diagnosis also on live television, a thing that prompted “a rise in demand for cervical cancer screening […]. Cervical cancer is the second biggest cancer killer of women in their early 30s in the UK.” as the aforementioned publication reveals.
In her last months, Goody capitalized on her celebrity status again to provide for the two children she would leave orphans once dead. Her wedding to fiancé Jack Tweed was the object of an exclusive magazine and television deal, as also were countless interviews she gave on the hospital bed. At the same time, the public’s fascination with her case propelled her to the status of international star.
“I’ve lived my whole adult life talking about my life. The only difference is that I’m talking about my death now. It’s OK. I’ve lived in front of the cameras. And maybe I’ll die in front of them. And I know some people don’t like what I’m doing but at this point I really don’t care what other people think. Now, it’s about what I want.” Jade told News of the World in an interview that took place following her diagnosis, when the cancer had not yet spread to her other organs.
Jade Goody was only 27 years old, and is survived by two children and her husband.