Iconic model, decorator and restauranteur Barbara “B.” Smith has revealed her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The 64-year-old entrepreneur tells CBS News that she began telling her doctor about the symptoms four years ago. During her interview, Smith revealed that she couldn’t remember what day it was, nor the month or year. “Things like that make life very sad,” she said.
A scan by her doctor showed that Smith’s brain had a large amount of amyloid, a protein that damages nerves and is found in Alzheimer’s patients. Day-to-day life has meant Smith finds herself repeating herself or not not being able to answer a simple question. “You do try to hide it from everybody,” said Smith.
Last year, Smith and her husband and business partner Dan Gasby, closed the doors to their Washington D.C restaurant after 20 years. Earlier this year, they closed their Sag Harbor locations as well. Their New York City location remains open.
Despite her fight with a disease that affects five millions Americans, the ever-optimistic former model remains positive about the future. “I’m going to do my best to make it work out for me, and for as many people that I can possibly help, too,” she said.