Fans of former model, restauranteur and lifestyle Guru B. Smith are enraged that her husband of 25 years, Dan Gasby, is openly flaunting his mistress, East Hampton socialite Alexandra Lerner, in public.
Smith, 69, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013. She announced her diagnosis in 2016 so her story would help raise awareness of the disease.
Gasby, 64, is a former executive producer for the Essence Awards and the senior vice president of marketing at Camelot Entertainment Sales, Inc.
Smith and Gasby are pictured above attending the Inaugural Ball hosted by BET Networks at Smithsonian Art Museum in Washington, DC, before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013.
Smith was only the second Black model to grace the cover of Mademoiselle magazine. After she retired from modeling, Smith built her multi-million dollar empire, opening three successful restaurants and publishing several best-selling cookbooks.
Smith launched her own home goods products at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and she hosted a half-hour television show, B. Smith With Style. As she gained fame as a lifestyle specialist and TV personality, Gasby, who is her business partner, referred to Smith as “The Black Martha Stewart.”
In an exclusive PEOPLE interview published in January 2014, Gasby said his wife’s diagnosis was “the toughest thing I’ve ever dealt with.”
Gasby described himself as Smith’s caregiver, telling told PEOPLE magazine, “Anybody who is an Alzheimer’s caregiver knows exactly what other caregivers are going through. It’s 24/7. The complexity and the intensity of it is very tough.”
Gasby angered his Facebook followers after posting an image of his mistress with a caption describing her as his “life partner.” Since then, Gasby has posted other photos of Lerner on social media, and he openly flaunts his new relationship at high society events — even though he still lives with his mentally disabled wife.
In November 2014, Gasby reported Smith missing from their East Hampton home. She was found safe the next day in New York City near one of her former residences.
Many of Smith’s fans accused Gasby of neglecting her while spending time with his mistress.
In December 2018, Gasby posted a photo of himself and Lerner on Facebook.com. He captioned the photo:
“To steal the title from 50 Cent & The Game.. ‘Hate it or Love it!’ You can debate, but for me I’m just feelin’ great! Life’s to [sic] short to ask for a rebate so I’m gonna surf thru life before it’s toooo late!!!”
He posted another photo of himself and Lerner posted on Instagram.com before Christmas. He captioned that image, “Rocky Mountain High! Having a #coors in #beavercreekcolorado”.
Gasby’s followers have increased their attacks on his character in messages posted on all of his social media accounts. Others are grateful that he updates his pages frequently with photos of Smith, who suffers from seizures.
But one IG user accused his daughter of abusing Smith when the cameras are off. There is no evidence to prove elder abuse.
The concerned IG user writes:
“I was a caregiver to my nana w alzheimers….do not touch her face…dont rub her hair….. she is removing your hands for a reason…. yiu are posting videos to make her look crazy…..but exposing your own filty lowdown behaviour…….i hope Adult protective services gets involved.”
Photos by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images, Jared Siskin/Getty Images, Bennett Raglin/Getty Images
