Betty Broadbent

Betty Broadbent was born in Zellwood, Florida  in 1909 and was made famous by traveling with the Ringling Brothers and Cole Brothers circuses as “The Youngest Tattooed Woman in The World." Betty Broadbent was one of the most famous tattooed ladies in America and the world.

Her first tattoo was, classically, on the Atlantic City boardwalk where she worked. This reportedly took place as early as age 14 (way to keep it safe, AC).  Betty was introduced to circus man Clyde Ingalls in Atlantic City which later resulted in her working in the traveling circuses for a span lasting over 40 years. Her first job was as a sideshow “spidora” where her head was projected onto a spider’s body. By 1927 she'd graduated from "spidora" and was on her way to becoming completely covered by tattoos. Her bodysuit was completed by some of the first tattooists to use an electric tattoo machine: Joe van hart, Charlie Wagner and Red Gibbons. Betty's circus travel took her the world over from Australia and New Zealand to most of North America. Betty Broadbent charmed her audience with a smile and a true lady’s attitude. She was the first person to be inducted into the tattoo hall of fame. A real class act, that one.

Betty Broadbent getting tattooed

Betty Broadbent "The Tattooed Girl"

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Betty Broadbent Galleries and Resources:

Betty Broadbent Bio: http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Betty_Broadbent
Betty Broadbent tattooed beauty Images and bio: http://www.lydiaandfriends.com/betty-broadbent-2
Betty Broadbent Images Via: http://www.lydiaandfriends.com/betty-broadbent-2