Patricia Krentcil, better known as “Tan Mom,” first caught public attention in 2012 due to her extremely dark self-tanned skin and a controversial legal case. She was accused of letting her 5-year-old daughter, Anna, use a tanning bed, which led to her arrest on child endangerment charges. Though she spent a week in jail, she was eventually acquitted. The incident thrust her into the national spotlight, with people confirming her longtime obsession with indoor tanning.
Beyond her tanning habits, Krentcil has faced serious health struggles. In June 2019, she was hospitalized with pneumonia that became life-threatening, requiring life support and a medically induced coma. She also battled pancreatitis, cardiac arrest, and a lung infection during this ordeal. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “My whole body died — I was proclaimed dead.” Fortunately, she made a full recovery but described the period as “sad” and traumatic.
In 2021, Krentcil spoke openly about how her sudden fame overwhelmed her. She recalled being labeled “Tan Mom” in tabloids, calling it “the most massive hurricane in the world.” She maintained her innocence regarding the child endangerment claims, insisting she “did nothing wrong, period,” and noted that the tanning salon owner denied her daughter ever entered a tanning booth. The experience took a heavy toll, costing her “two houses” and draining her “whole soul” and “energy.” Her husband, Richard, was her main support until his death in 2021.
By May 2022, Krentcil shared that she had changed her outlook on life, saying, “I changed my whole attitude on life. I’ve turned my life around. I don’t get disrespected anymore. I don’t party or do any crazy things.” Yet, in September 2022, an Instagram post showed her at a Florida spa offering tanning services, casting doubt on her commitment to cutting back. However, a January 2023 photo revealed a softer, less intense tan, signaling a possible shift.
In that 2023 post, she wrote, “Just got better from the flu and got my hair done. Thank God what a nightmare having that cold. I hope you’re all doing great. I love you,” and received praise for her “beautiful” and “marvelous” new look. This change hints at a potential new chapter for Krentcil, as the public watches to see if she embraces a healthier lifestyle beyond the “Tan Mom” persona.
