Innocence Betrayed

Publisher Marketing: Teri Shields, Mother and Manager of Brooke Shields, Dies at 79 Her death followed a long illness related to dementia, a spokesman for Brooke Shields said. Teri Shields was a single mother when she began managing her 11-month-old daughter, finding her a job in an advertisement for Ivory soap. When Brooke was 10, she arranged for a photographer to take nude pictures of her. Then came "Pretty Baby," a Calvin Klein jeans campaign when she was 15 and more movies. Ms. Shields said later that she had been like any parent who tries to do what she thinks is best for her child - and that in this case it seemed wise to take advantage of her daughter's striking beauty. She also noted Brooke's acquiescence. "Fortunately, Brooke was at an age where she couldn't talk back," she told the television interviewer Bill Boggs a few years after "Pretty Baby" was released in 1978. In that interview Teri Shields said that people who accused her of exploiting her child were jealous. She also spoke bluntly about her daughter's appeal. "They see total innocence, which is totally there," she said, as Brooke sat beside her. "And two, they have the sexy child too, they have the sexy person - that appeals to them." Mr. Boggs interrupted: "Yeah, it's the forbidden fruit." Teri Shields responded, "Yes, and yet it's all wrapped up in one, and that is really appetizing." Contributor Bio:  Geoghegan, G P G. P. Geoghegan is a native of New Jersey. He was born in Paterson, NJ in 1935, was educated through the School of Visual Arts, NYC. His focus centered on the creative arts, painting, photography and writing. He has since moved to the west coast.