Jade Goody
lived a packed life. A life cut brutally short by cancer, but a life
packed with a journey with so many ups and downs anyone would struggle
to keep their head up - and she did, in the nation's spotlight.
From becoming the first true superstar of Big Brother fame, to becoming the first true villain the show had produced, Jade's journey from humble Essex girl to celebrity to pariah to legacy was nothing short of sensational.
As one of the contestants on Channel 4's third series of Big Brother, Jade was mocked by the press for her lack of general knowledge and then her outrageous drunken antics which included stripping totally naked on
From becoming the first true superstar of Big Brother fame, to becoming the first true villain the show had produced, Jade's journey from humble Essex girl to celebrity to pariah to legacy was nothing short of sensational.
As one of the contestants on Channel 4's third series of Big Brother, Jade was mocked by the press for her lack of general knowledge and then her outrageous drunken antics which included stripping totally naked on
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It catapulted her into a world of magazine deals and reality television which saw her star rise even further and become one of the nation's favourite reality stars.
The obligatory autobiography was rushed out and she landed her own telly shows about her life.
A high profile relationship with fellow reality star Jeff Brazier saw the pair have two boys, Bobby and Freddie.
Her time in the house the first time had turned her into a reality TV superstar and given her everything she ever wanted, but the second time threatened to undo it all.
Jade's behaviour in the house, alongside SClub7 singer Jo O'Meara and and model Danielle Lloyd , towards Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty saw the three of them become public enemies.
Vicious rows erupted, and Jade's reputation was destroyed.
While Jade insisted she wasn't racist, these names and her general behaviour towards the star had consequences for her career.
Jade's perfume was pulled from shelves, a paperback version of her autobiography was cancelled and Jade lost her lucrative reality TV contract with Living.
The star took time out, away from the cameras, in the hope that she would one day be able to return to fame and fortune again.
It was part of her attempts to regenerate her image that Jade discovered she had cancer.
While appearing in the Indian Big Brother house, Jade was called into the diary room just two days in to be given the results of some medical tests that showed she had cervical cancer.
After her diagnosis, Jade threw herself into work in an effort to provide for her two sons.
Magazine deals, a second beauty salon, a new autobiography, a documentary film called Jade's Cancer Battle, and a starring role in a pantomime all followed, making Jade a small fortune.
But after her cancer developed and became terminal, Jade wanted to make it matter, and give it meaning.
As well as securing her boys' future, she wanted to raise awareness of cervical cancer screenings and leave a legacy for the country, and the world.
By the time of her death she had earned a staggering sum of money, including £700,000 for her wedding pictures, to ensure her sons would have a decent upbringing after she had gone.
One of the last statements she put out before her death was her pride of getting the Government to review its policies, something that would go on to save lives.
Jade Goody died in her sleep on 22 March 2009, Mother's Day with her husband, mother and friend surrounding her.
Tributes poured in, with even the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown paying tribute to her bravery, but her legacy was secured.
The Health Minister, Andy Burnam issued a statement, saying: "Jade's bravery and openness in her fight against cervical cancer has brought home to young women across the country the importance of regularly going for these checks."
It is not a stretch to say that because of Jade's bravery that women are alive today, and that is her true legacy.
