Patricia Krentcil, widely known as the “Tan Mom,” gained notoriety in 2012 due to her excessive tanning habits and a highly publicized case that shocked the nation. This online sensation faced backlash when she was accused of taking her five-year-old daughter, Anna, into a tanning bed. Authorities became involved after a nurse at Anna’s school noticed a rash on the child, which she claimed was a result of tanning salon visits with her mother. Krentcil frequented City Tropics, spending approximately $100 per month for her desired sun-kissed complexion, visiting the salon five days a week for a maximum of 12 minutes.
Arrested and charged with child endangerment, the Tan Mom spent only a week in jail before being acquitted of the charges. Although she maintained her innocence, claiming her daughter was never exposed to harmful UV rays, a grand jury declined to indict her in 2013, allowing her to retain custody of Anna. Tanning, whether indoors or outdoors, poses significant risks, including damage to skin cells, DNA injury, and an increased likelihood of developing skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist, expressed his astonishment at Krentcil’s tanning habits, considering them “insane” and unprecedented in his professional experience. He identified a potential addiction to tanning, a condition known as “tanorexia,” suggesting that experts should address both the physical and psychological aspects. Zeichner highlighted the possibility of underlying body dysmorphic disorders, leading individuals to seek elective cosmetic procedures due to dissatisfaction with their appearance.
In 2019, Krentcil faced a life-threatening health crisis, battling pneumonia, pancreatitis, cardiac arrest, and a lung infection. While she ultimately recovered, she described the incident as a tragic and transformative event, reflecting on the moment when her body was pronounced dead. A former classmate revealed that Krentcil had exhibited signs of tanning addiction since high school, describing her as eccentric, with a penchant for experimentation.
Fast-forwarding to May 2022, Krentcil appears transformed and determined to lead a different life. She expressed a shift in her attitude and lifestyle, no longer engaging in disrespectful behavior or indulging in wild activities. Despite the immense fame she gained, Krentcil faced financial struggles, almost losing two houses due to the child-endangerment case. The media took a toll on her well-being, depleting her energy and soul, leaving her husband as her sole support. Sadly, her husband, Richard, passed away in 2021.
Krentcil emphasized her commitment to being a great mother to her children, Anna and Addison, asserting that she persevered through her worst moments with unwavering strength.
