Patricia Krentcil gained widespread attention back in 2012 after facing charges of child endangerment. Many people might recognize her more by the nickname “Tan Mom,” as she had developed an intense obsession with tanning salons, reportedly visiting them five times a week. Her extreme dedication to tanning pushed her into the spotlight and, ultimately, into a health crisis that nearly claimed her life. Today, Patricia is in a much better place, although she continues to tan—just not to the same extent.

Over the past decade, Patricia Krentcil has faced numerous challenges and undergone a dramatic transformation. Let’s take a closer look at where she is now and what she looks like today.

Obsessions—whether with food, shopping, entertainment, or any other activity—can become problematic if they start to control your life. While some obsessions pose more health risks than others, it’s always important to be aware of how such fixations can impact your physical and mental well-being. If you ever find yourself prioritizing an obsession over essential aspects of your life, it’s wise to seek support—whether from friends or a mental health professional.

For Patricia Krentcil, her obsession with tanning led to viral fame and intense public scrutiny. She began tanning regularly in her early twenties, and it quickly became a major part of her daily life. According to the owner of City Tropics tanning salon in Nutley, New Jersey, Patricia averaged five tanning sessions a week, each lasting up to 12 minutes. She was enrolled in an unlimited monthly tanning plan that cost $100. “I’ve been tanning my whole life, going to the beach, tanning salons, and so forth,” Patricia once said.

However, it wasn’t her regular tanning habits that brought her into the national spotlight. In May 2012, Patricia was charged with child endangerment after allegedly allowing her six-year-old daughter, Anna, to use a stand-up tanning booth, which resulted in the child suffering burns. Patricia firmly denied the allegations, stating that she would never let her daughter tan.

“No, not at all, not whatsoever,” she declared when asked if she took Anna into the tanning booth. Despite her denial, Nutley police arrested her, claiming that Anna had sustained a slight burn from a tanning session with her mother. According to New Jersey law at the time, children under 14 were prohibited from using tanning facilities, and those over 14 could only do so with parental consent.

The controversy erupted after a school nurse asked Anna about her burn, to which the child responded, “I go tanning with mommy.” Patricia insisted Anna had been sunburned while playing outside in their backyard. “There’s no room… I would never permit it… It didn’t happen,” Patricia said.

The incident quickly went viral, and Patricia was dubbed “Tan Mom” by the media. Her heavily tanned face appeared on news outlets around the world. The public reaction also sparked discussion about a condition known as tanorexia, where individuals become addicted to tanning and fail to recognize how dark their skin has become.

Dr. Doris Day, a New York dermatologist, explained, “When you look at this, it’s someone with tanorexia. They just don’t realize how much color they have.” She added, “There’s no excuse to take a young child to a tanning salon. Tanning is like smoking for the skin, and the younger someone starts, the more cumulative the damage.”

Health experts regarded Patricia’s case as extreme. Dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner told the NY Daily News, “In all my years treating patients, I’ve never seen anything like this. Going to a tanning salon 20 times a month is insane, especially with so much public education on the dangers of tanning beds and skin cancer.” He also mentioned that Patricia might suffer from body dysmorphic disorder, which leads people to be constantly dissatisfied with their appearance.

Although Patricia was released on $25,000 bail, she faced a potential 10-year prison sentence. Still, she maintained her innocence, claiming her daughter never entered the tanning booth and received her sunburn from playing outdoors. “Is there something wrong about getting your nails done or smoking too much? Why wasn’t this said years ago if it was such a problem?” Patricia argued.

In early 2013, Patricia was cleared of all charges when a grand jury declined to indict her. However, the public criticism persisted. Mothers across the country questioned her parenting, to which Patricia fired back by calling them “jealous, fat, and ugly.” She added, “I’m sorry I’m tan. I like to be tan. It just feels good.”

Though initially a viral sensation, Patricia’s fame quickly turned into a nightmare. Paparazzi and media constantly followed her, and she was mocked by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and even parodied on Saturday Night Live. The pressure became overwhelming, leading Patricia to start drinking. Eventually, she and her family relocated to Tampa, Florida, hoping to start fresh.

Patricia’s children—Ashley, Alec, and Austin—also suffered from the media attention, with Patricia claiming they were “badgered at school.” Despite the negative attention, Patricia decided to try profiting from her fame. She announced plans to star in a film about her life, launch a tanning lotion line called “Real Tan Mom Healthy Glow,” and write a book. She also claimed to have received modeling offers from New York, London, and Paris. “Everyone wants me,” she said. “I’m just figuring out where to move my family.”

In June 2019, Patricia nearly lost her life after suffering from pneumonia. Her friend Adam Barta revealed that she was in critical condition and placed on life support due to complications, including cardiac arrest and an infection in her lungs. Fortunately, Patricia survived and has since recovered. Recent Instagram photos show her smiling, although the effects of years of tanning remain visible.

In April 2021, Patricia told the NY Post she no longer dwells on the past and embraces her “Tan Mom” identity. She continues to tan twice a week in her own tanning bed. “It doesn’t bother me anymore,” she said. “There’s Tan Mom, celebrity, and then there’s Patricia Marie, Mom.”