Patricia Krentcil, commonly known as “Tan Mom,” has left her tanning days behind. The 55-year-old gained infamy after being accused of taking her 5-year-old daughter, Anna, into a tanning bed in New Jersey. However, Krentcil now claims to have changed into a completely different person, distancing herself from too much tanning.
In an interview with Insider, Krentcil expressed her profound change in attitude towards life, stating, “I’ve undergone a complete transformation. I’ve turned my life around.” She emphasized that she no longer tolerates disrespect and has abandoned wild partying and other reckless activities.
It wasn’t always sunshine and roses for Tan Mom
Back in 2012, Krentcil faced charges of child endangerment. This was for allegedly exposing Anna to artificial UV rays in a Nutley salon. Nevertheless, a grand jury decided not to indict her in 2013, and she did not lose custody of her daughter. However, Krentcil revealed that the incident has haunted her for the past decade, plunging her into severe financial difficulties.
“Ever since the ‘tan mom’ incident, I’ve struggled.” She shared with Insider, highlighting the exorbitant legal fees incurred during the child-endangerment case. Which amounted to nearly the value of two houses. Regrettably, Krentcil also had to give up her questionable pastime due to the consequences of her actions.
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“I was forbidden from tanning; the local salons considered me unwelcome.” She revealed, referring to the aftermath of her widely publicized arrest. Krentcil shared the unfortunate outcome of her high-profile case, which led to her being ostracized by the tanning establishments in her area.
Tragically, she also endured the loss of her husband, Richard, who passed away last summer.
He had been diagnosed with colon cancer, COVID-19, and pneumonia. Overwhelmed with emotion, Krentcil tearfully expressed, “We had our fair share of ups and downs, but he was my closest companion.” Richard was her second husband, and they had two children together, including 16-year-old Anna and 13-year-old son Addison.
During her legal turmoil, Krentcil relied heavily on her late husband Richard, seeking solace and support amidst the intense media storm. Recalling the intrusive presence of paparazzi, she expressed how they had drained her spirit and vitality. “They took away my entire essence, sapped my energy,” she said, reflecting on the swarm of photographers that surrounded her during that time.
Krentcil has since moved to Boca Raton, Florida, where she has dipped her toes into the dating scene following the loss of her husband. However, she emphasized that rushing into relationships is not her priority, stating, “Finding love is not the most significant thing for me,” in her conversation with the outlet.
Patricia Krentcil loves her daughter dearly
Asserting her dedication to motherhood, Krentcil again noted that she has always been a great mom and will continue to be one. She acknowledged that anyone in her position during those challenging moments would have struggled, but she found the strength to remain focused during her darkest hours.
In 2019, Krentcil faced another health scare when she was hospitalized for pneumonia and placed in a medically induced coma. She experienced cardiac arrest and was diagnosed with pancreatitis, as well as a lung infection. Recalling the ordeal, Krentcil, a heavy smoker, revealed, “My entire body essentially shut down—I was declared dead. It was an incredibly sorrowful experience,” as she recounted her battle for survival.
Reflecting on her past of extreme tanning, Krentcil shared with Insider that she never intended to become so dark and expressed her relief at not developing skin cancer as a result. “I’m here for a reason, and I have to make sure I’m here for my kids,” Krentcil told Insider. “I’m not dark anymore. Right now, I’m very happy. It’s exhausting keeping it up.”
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Sources
- “‘Tan Mom’ Patricia Krentcil says she is a ‘totally different person’ these days.” NY Post. Yaron Steinbuch. May 23, 2022.
- “Tan Mom Patricia Krentcil Looks Different After Turning Her Life Around Following Excessive Tanning That Almost Took Her Life.” APost. June 16, 2023
- “‘Tan Mom’ 10 years after child-endangerment charge — ‘I’ve always been a great mom and I’ll continue to be a great mom’.” Insider. Doree Lewak. May 21, 2022