Patricia Krentcil gained notoriety for her extreme tanning habits, which nearly cost her life. A frequent visitor to tanning salons—sometimes five days a week—her obsession took a significant toll on her health.
Krentcil’s tanning journey began in her youth, but it wasn’t until 2012 that she captured national attention. Her rise to fame came after she faced trial for allegedly bringing her young daughter to the tanning salon.
“I’ve been tanning my whole life, going to the beach and salons,” Patricia stated. While her personal tanning habits attracted little attention, everything changed when her six-year-old daughter, Anna, suffered burns following a purported tanning session. This led to charges of child endangerment, as reported by CBS New York.
Patricia adamantly denied the allegations, insisting she never took Anna to the salon. “No, not at all. Not whatsoever,” she asserted when questioned about the charges.
Under New Jersey law, children under 14 are prohibited from using tanning services, while those over 14 can only do so with parental consent. The suspicion that Patricia had taken Anna to the salon arose after a school nurse inquired about the burns on the child's body. Anna reportedly responded, “I go tanning with Mommy.”
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However, Patricia maintained that her daughter’s sunburn came from outdoor play. “There’s no way… I would never permit it. It didn’t happen,” she stated. “It was beautiful outside, and they went into the kiddie pool. She’s a redhead, so she got sunburnt.” She added, “Yes, she does go tanning with Mommy, but not in the booth. The whole thing’s preposterous!”
This incident earned Patricia the moniker “Tan Mom,” and her image quickly spread across various media outlets.
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| Instagram/realtanmom |
Renowned dermatologist Doris Day commented, “This is someone who has a problem, possibly a condition called ‘tanorexia,’ where individuals fail to recognize the extent of their tanning.” She emphasized that taking a young child to a tanning salon is inexcusable, likening the act to smoking for the skin. The cumulative effects of early tanning can be detrimental.
Dermatologist Dr. Zeichner remarked, “In my years of treating patients, I’ve never seen anything like this. Visiting a tanning salon 20 times a month is insane, especially given the widespread awareness of the dangers of tanning beds and skin cancer.”
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He suggested that Patricia may need help to address both the damage to her skin and her psychological issues related to tanning.
In 2013, Patricia was acquitted of all charges; however, public scrutiny and media pressure took a toll on her mental health, leading her to turn to alcohol. The family eventually relocated from New Jersey to Florida in search of a fresh start.
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| Youtube/World of Adam Barta |
Determined to leverage her newfound fame, Patricia, a mother of five with a husband who was out of work, announced plans to star in a movie about her life and write a book. She also mentioned multiple modeling opportunities. “It’s not over yet,” she asserted. “Everyone wants me. I have a lot of opportunities, and I’m just figuring out how to support my family.”
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| Instagram/realtanmom |
In 2019, Patricia faced a health crisis, suffering cardiac arrest and being diagnosed with severe pneumonia, pancreatitis, and a lung infection. Her friend Adam Barta shared details of her condition, explaining that she was receiving strong antibiotics and that her recovery was a critical turning point.
Fortunately, Patricia has since recovered and is in good health.
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| Instagram/realtanmom |
Recently, she shared new photos showcasing the scars from her tanning days. While she still uses her tanning bed twice a day, she no longer lets the “Tan Mom” label affect her.
“It doesn’t bother me anymore,” Patricia told The Post in April 2021. “There are two separate people: Tan Mom, the celebrity, and Patricia Marie, the mom.”
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