B. Smith, 64, Reveals Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease

Screen Shot 2014-06-06 at 2.11.46 PMB. Smith (real name Barbara Smith) is sharing some very personal news with the public about her health. The 64-year-old former model who is now a well-known restaurateur, has revealed that she has Alzheimer’s.

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During an interview with CBS, she shares that around four years ago, B. told her doctor about her symptoms. She later saw a team of experts at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Last October, a special scan was done to look for amyloid, a sticky protein that damages nerves and is present in patients with Alzheimer’s. 

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The businesswoman, who was one of the first African-American models to cover Mademoiselle magazine, revealed through tears,

You do try to hide it from everybody.

She even tried to hide it from her husband, Dan Gasby, at first, telling her doctor about her symptoms four years ago, before she turned to her spouse for support.