The Unexpected Aftermath: 5 Shocking Revelations About B. Smith’s Husband, Dan Gasby, Since Her Death

The enduring love story of model and lifestyle guru B. Smith and her husband, Dan Gasby, was tragically overshadowed by a very public and highly controversial chapter in the final years of her life. B. Smith, whose real name was Barbara Elaine Smith, passed away in February 2020 after a long battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her death brought a temporary close to the intense media scrutiny surrounding Gasby’s decision to pursue a romantic relationship with another woman, Alex Lerner, while serving as B. Smith’s primary caregiver. Now, in late 2025, the latest updates reveal a life lived in the shadow of that controversy, with Gasby’s personal life taking yet another unexpected turn since becoming a widower.

The public narrative of their marriage shifted dramatically from a power-couple partnership to a complex, emotionally charged debate about the ethics of caregiving and spousal loyalty. Dan Gasby, a veteran television executive, has remained a prominent, albeit polarizing, figure as he continues to manage the vast legacy of the B. Smith brand. This is a deep dive into the life and current status of B. Smith’s husband, Dan Gasby, and the lasting impact of the choices he made.

Dan Gasby: Full Biography and Professional Profile

Dan Gasby is an American television executive, producer, and businessman who was instrumental in building the B. Smith lifestyle brand alongside his late wife, Barbara "B." Smith. Their partnership extended beyond marriage, creating a formidable media and hospitality empire.

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• Full Name: Dan Gasby
• Date of Birth: 1954 (Age: Approximately 71 as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: United States
• Spouse: Barbara "B." Smith (Married 1992; until her death in 2020)
• Children: Dana Gasby (Daughter from a previous relationship)
• Education: Details are private, though he is widely recognized as a highly successful veteran of the television industry.
• Career Highlights:
  • Television Executive and Producer since the late 1970s.
  • Co-creator and Executive Producer of the syndicated television show B. Smith with Style.
  • Co-founder of the B. Smith brand, which included successful restaurants (B. Smith’s), home decor lines, and cookbooks.
  • Authored the book Before I Forget: Love, Loss, and a New Life on an Alzheimer's Journey with B. Smith and Michael Shnayerson.
• Net Worth: While precise figures are difficult to confirm due to the private nature of his business, the combined net worth of Dan Gasby and B. Smith was estimated to be in the millions, built on their successful media and restaurant ventures.

Gasby’s career was defined by his ability to market and produce, turning B. Smith from a successful model into a globally recognized lifestyle icon, often referred to as "the next Martha Stewart."

The Alzheimer's Diagnosis and The Alex Lerner Controversy

The most defining and controversial period of Dan Gasby’s life began in 2013 when B. Smith was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The diagnosis marked the beginning of her public health decline and the start of Gasby’s journey as a full-time caregiver.

In 2018, Gasby ignited a firestorm of public backlash when he revealed he was in a romantic relationship with a new woman, Alexandra "Alex" Lerner, a divorcée and former financial planner.

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The Unprecedented Living Arrangement

The core of the controversy was the unprecedented living arrangement: Alex Lerner was not only Gasby’s girlfriend but had also moved into the Sag Harbor, New York, home that Gasby shared with his ailing wife, B. Smith.

• The Defense: Gasby defended the arrangement, arguing that B. Smith’s advanced Alzheimer’s meant she no longer recognized him or understood the nature of their marriage. He maintained that he was simply prioritizing his own well-being while ensuring his wife received the best possible care. He claimed Lerner was a supportive presence during his intense caregiving journey.
• The Backlash: The public reaction was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Critics, including many prominent voices in the African American community, accused Gasby of disrespecting his wife and their marriage vows. Many felt the arrangement exploited B. Smith's condition and was an egregious example of spousal betrayal.
• The Caregiving Debate: The situation sparked a national debate about the immense stress of spousal caregiving, the right of the caregiver to seek happiness, and the ethical boundaries of fidelity when a spouse is incapacitated by a cognitive disease like Alzheimer’s.

Dan Gasby remained defiant throughout the ordeal, often using social media to confront his critics directly, arguing that those who judged him did not understand the reality of living with an Alzheimer's patient.

The Unexpected Aftermath: Dan Gasby’s Life Post-2020

B. Smith passed away peacefully at her Sag Harbor home on February 22, 2020, at the age of 70. Her death finally ended the public spectacle, but the questions about Dan Gasby's future remained. The most significant and newest development in his personal life came just months after B. Smith’s passing.

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1. The Breakup with Alex Lerner

The relationship that caused years of public controversy came to an abrupt end shortly after B. Smith’s death. In a candid interview, Dan Gasby revealed that his relationship with Alex Lerner had concluded, stating simply, "She took off."

The breakup was a surprising twist for many who assumed Gasby and Lerner would formalize their relationship once B. Smith was gone. The swift end to the romance, which Gasby had publicly fought to defend, suggested that the unique circumstances of caregiving and controversy may have been the primary bond, rather than a sustainable long-term relationship.

2. The Widower's Solo Life in Sag Harbor

As of late 2025, Dan Gasby is reported to be living alone in the Sag Harbor home that he once shared with B. Smith and, later, Alex Lerner. He shares the 8,500-square-foot contemporary house with his three Neapolitan Mastiffs.

His current life appears to be one of quiet reflection and a return to privacy after years in the media spotlight. He continues to live in the home where he cared for his wife, maintaining a connection to the life they built together. This solitary existence is a stark contrast to the chaotic, highly-publicized life of the preceding years.

3. Continuing the B. Smith Legacy

Gasby’s professional focus has shifted entirely to preserving and promoting the B. Smith legacy. He remains dedicated to keeping her memory alive and ensuring her brand—which spanned fashion, food, and home goods—endures.

He frequently speaks about B. Smith’s impact as a pioneering Black woman in the lifestyle industry. He also continues to advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness, using their shared experience to shed light on the disease, particularly its disproportionate effect on the African American community. His continued involvement in the Alzheimer's community serves as a complex coda to the controversy, framing his actions as part of a larger, difficult caregiving journey.

Dan Gasby’s story is a complicated tapestry of immense professional success, profound spousal devotion in the face of illness, and a highly questionable personal choice that forever altered his public image. His life today is defined by the quiet task of preserving a legacy, a final, solitary act for the woman he loved.