Fannie Belle Fleming, better known as famous burlesque icon Blaze Starr, passed away yesterday at her West Virginia home at the age of 83.

Blaze gained national attention as a result of her affair with Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long in the 1940's and 1950's. She reportedly had been experiencing heart issues for the past couple of years.

Blaze Starr moved to New Orleans in the 1940's and began working at the famous Sho- Bar. It was there she met Earl K. Long, and hence began the affair that would go on to inspire the movie "Blaze" starring Paul Newman as Earl Long and Lolita Davidovich as Starr.

"Personal misbehaviors on the part of male politicians were not an unusual thing," said Alecia P. Long, a history professor at Louisiana State University. She is not related to the Long political family. But she added that Long was a "particular case because he was so open about it."

The flamboyant stripper who grew up in West Virginia's coalfields also laid claim to sleeping with John F. Kennedy before he won the presidency."

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