How Pepper LaBeija, the Last Queen of the Harlem Drag Balls, Died of a Heart Attack

Pepper LaBeija was a legendary drag queen and fashion designer who was known as “the last remaining queen of the Harlem drag balls”. She was a leader, a performer, and an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She appeared in several documentaries and influenced many drag artists. However, her life was not easy. She faced many health challenges and personal losses that eventually led to her death in 2003. In this article, we will explore the life and death of Pepper LaBeija, and how she left a lasting legacy in the drag culture.

Early Life and Career

Pepper LaBeija was born on November 5, 1948, in The Bronx, New York. Her birth name was William Jackson, but she preferred to be referred to by the feminine pronoun she. She identified as male, but enjoyed dressing up as a woman since childhood. She was inspired by her mother, who was a seamstress and taught her how to sew.

LaBeija started attending drag balls in Harlem in the 1960s, where she met Crystal LaBeija, the founder of the House of LaBeija. The House of LaBeija was one of the first drag houses, which are groups of drag performers who form a family-like bond and compete in balls. LaBeija joined the house and adopted Crystal’s surname as a sign of respect and loyalty.

In 1981, Crystal LaBeija passed away, and Pepper LaBeija took over as the head of the house. She became known as “the Mother” of the house, and mentored many young drag queens who joined her family. She also competed in numerous drag balls and won over 250 trophies for her Egyptian-inspired runway performances. She was famous for her elegance, charisma, and fierceness.

To earn money, LaBeija produced drag balls and taught modeling. She also worked as a fashion designer and created outfits for herself and other drag queens. She was known for her extravagant and glamorous style, which often featured feathers, sequins, beads, and jewels.

Later Years and Death

LaBeija had a long-term companion named Pamela Jackson, with whom she had a daughter. She also raised Pamela’s son from a previous relationship. LaBeija devoted much of her time to her family and loved them dearly. However, in 1992, Pamela Jackson died, leaving LaBeija heartbroken.

LaBeija also suffered from several health issues, including diabetes mellitus type 2 and heart disease. As a result of her diabetes, she had both of her feet amputated in the late 1990s. She was largely bedridden for the last decade of her life and relied on her children and friends for care.

On May 14, 2003, LaBeija died of a heart attack at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan at the age of 54. Her death was mourned by many people in the drag community and beyond. Her funeral was attended by hundreds of people who paid tribute to her legacy.

LaBeija is best known for her appearances in the documentary films Paris Is Burning (1990) and How Do I Look? (2006). These films chronicled the Harlem drag ball culture in the late 1980s and early 2000s respectively. They also showcased the lives and struggles of the drag queens who participated in the balls.

In Paris Is Burning, LaBeija shared her insights on topics such as beauty, gender, race, class, and sexuality. She also displayed her confidence, humor, and wisdom. She became one of the most memorable and influential figures in the film.

In How Do I Look?, LaBeija revisited some of the locations and people featured in Paris Is Burning. She also reflected on how the drag ball scene had changed over the years. She expressed her pride in being part of the history and culture of drag.

LaBeija also made appearances on The Joan Rivers Show (1991), TV Transvestites (1982), and The Queen (1968). She was quoted by Malcolm McLaren in his song and music video Deep in Vogue (1989), which was a tribute to the New York gay balls of the 1980s.

Conclusion

Pepper LaBeija was a remarkable drag queen and fashion designer who left a lasting impact on the drag culture. She was a leader, a performer, and an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She faced many challenges and hardships in her life, but she never gave up on her passion and dreams. She died of a heart attack in 2003, but her legacy lives on through her house members, her fans, and her films. She is remembered as one of the greatest queens of all time.

Doms Desk

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