Profile of Jade Goody
Reality TV Star Raises Awareness of Cervical Cancer
Jade Goody first came into the spotlight on the U.K.’s reality show Big Brother 3 in 2002. More recently she has achieved fame at home and abroad because the young mom of two boys had cervical cancer and publicized her battle. Goody died at home on March 22, 2009.
Jade Goody’s Early Years
Jackiey Budden gave birth to Jade Cerisa Lorraine Goody on June 5, 1981, and raised her in Bermondsey, in southeast London. Jade had been estranged from her dad, Andrew Robert Goody, who took off when she was 2. He died of a reported drug overdose in August 2005 at 42.
Jade claims in her autobiography, Jade: Catch A Falling Star, that Jackiey was into drugs, and has talked about having to miss school and help her out.
Jade Goody’s Television Career
Prior to taking part in Big Brother 3, Jade had been working as a dental nurse. She quickly became tabloid fodder with her outrageous behaviour and apparent lack of general knowledge on the show. Despite the bad press, she finished fourth in the competition.
Jade stirred more controversy on the U.K. version of Celebrity Big Brother, when she was accused of making a racist slur against her housemate, actress Shilpa Shetty. After her elimination from the program, Jade admitted her wrongdoing and apologized for her comments.
To reportedly help her make amends, Jade appeared on the Indian version of Big Brother, Big Boss, in August 2008. After only two days on set, however, she found out she had cervical cancer. She withdrew from the show and flew back to England.
Besides Big Brother, Jade has appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap, Celebrity Driving School, Celebrity Weakest Link and Celebrity Stars in their Eyes. She also starred in her own reality shows: What Jade Did Next, Jade’s Salon, Jade’s PA, and the three-part series she did for Living channel documenting her cancer battle, including Jade: Bride to Be, which followed her wedding.
Jade Goody’s Off-Camera Projects
Though only in her 20s, Jade has published two autobiographies: Jade: My Autobiography, in May 2006, and Jade: Catch a Falling Star, in October 2008. Her other written work consisted of a weekly column for Now magazine.
Fitness DVDs, a top-selling fragrance, Shh … and two beauty salons, Ugly and Homme Fatel are also among her accomplishments.
Jade has explained all her work in the public eye is to fund her sons’ futures.
Jade Goody’s Personal Life
Jade’s two-year relationship with TV presenter and fellow reality TV regular Jeff Brazier produced her two sons, Bobby Jack, born in June 2003, and Freddie, born in September 2004. The kids had been living with Jade in her home in Upshire, Essex. (More recently, they have been staying with their dad).
Jade was also involved with footballer Ryan Amoo for six months in 2005, and with the man who is now her husband, Jack Tweed.
Jade Goody’s Cancer Battle
Jade has undergone surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In February 2009 she learned the disease had spread to her groin, bowel and liver, and she had two months left to live.
Jade married Jack on Feb. 22, 2009, in a country house near Hatfield Heath.
On March 7, 2009, Jade and her sons were christened in the Royal Marsden Hospital chapel in London.
The Jade Goody Effect
Medical officials have reported the number of women requesting pap (or smear) tests has increased since news of Jade’s cancer being terminal went public. The media has dubbed this phenomenon the “the Jade Goody effect.”
This may be Jade’s legacy. It may not be the fame Jade may have initially wanted. A scrappy girl raised by a single mom in southeast London becomes a TV star who had people talking, but her illness at a young age, and how she coped with it, has transformed her into a role model.
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