London, United Kingdom - Jade Goody died in her sleep at 3.55am this morning, at home with her mother Jackiey Budden by her side. Jackiey spoke to reporters outside the house, saying: "Family and friends would like this privacy, at last, for this morning."
Goody gained fame in 2002 at age 21 when she joined the British version of the reality television show "Big Brother," in which contestants live together for weeks and are constantly filmed. She became a highly divisive star and something of a national touchstone who sparked debate about race, class and celebrity.
Jade's publicist Max Clifford said:
"I think she's going to be remembered as a young girl who has, and who will, save an awful lot of lives. She was a very, very brave girl. And she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life - full on, with a lot of courage."
Our thoughts are with Jade's family and friends.
Goody gained fame in 2002 at age 21 when she joined the British version of the reality television show "Big Brother," in which contestants live together for weeks and are constantly filmed. She became a highly divisive star and something of a national touchstone who sparked debate about race, class and celebrity.
Jade's publicist Max Clifford said:
"I think she's going to be remembered as a young girl who has, and who will, save an awful lot of lives. She was a very, very brave girl. And she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life - full on, with a lot of courage."
Our thoughts are with Jade's family and friends.
