Bunny Yeager, born Linnea Eleanor Yeager, died at the age of 85 on Saturday, May 24 due to the effects of a chronic heart condition.
The model turned photographer was known for redefining the way Americans viewed sex, beauty and independent women, according to E! News. Yeager was also known for making Bettie Page, an iconic pin-up girl, famous as Yeager began taking photos of her 60 years ago.
Yeager died at a North Miami hospice, where she had been staying for a week before she passed away, her agent, Ed Christin confirmed to People.
A new coffeetable book, “Bettie Page: Queens of Curves,” is reported by the Sun Sentinel to be published by Rizzoli next month. Two days before she was hospitalized she finished a photo shoot with 2011 Playboy Playmate of the Year Claire Sinclair for a June exhibit in Las Vegas.
“At the hospital, she was talking about her next shoot. She was excited, full of plans,” Christin said. “This time she just didn’t bounce back.”
Family and friends surrounded Yeager as she passed away, including her two daughters, Lisa Irwin Packard and Cherilu Irwin DuVal. A public ceremony to honor the famous photographer will be held in the near future.