PAPERMAG: Paula Deen: Before Diabetes, A Dark-Eyed Beauty

Given her famous love for butter usage, Paula Deen's recent revelation that she has Type 2 diabetes may not come as a surprise to many. But before she became a ~~blogosphere punching bag~~ Food Network star, did you know she was kind of a babe? We've dug up a few Deen photos from yesteryear for your casual weekday perusal.

Eighteen-year-old Paula Deen at her senior prom, 1965
Image from celebuzz.com

Paula as a young mother, late 1960s

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Paula circa the '70s

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A well-coiffed Paula, date unknown (though we'd place money on it that this has to be from the '80s)

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Paula and her sons, Jamie and Bobby in the early 90s
Image from Oprah.com

Deen today.