Anna Nicole Smith, originally known as Vickie Lynn Hogan, was a prominent American model, actress, and television personality. Her rise to fame began when she appeared as a centerfold in Playboy magazine in May 1992, eventually winning the coveted title of 1993 Playmate of the Year. Smith went on to model for renowned fashion brands such as Guess, H&M, and Heatherette.
Anna Nicole Smith Biography
Vickie Lynn Hogan, also known as Vickie Lynn Smith and Nikki Hart, was born on November 28, 1967, in Mexia, Texas, USA. She passed away on February 8, 2007, at the age of 39 in Hollywood, Florida, USA. Vickie worked as a model, actress, and television personality from 1992 until 2007. She had two husbands in her lifetime.
The first one was Billy Smith, whom she married in 1985 and divorced in 1993. The second was J. Howard Marshall, whom she married in 1994, but he died in 1995. Vickie had two children named Daniel Wayne Smith and Dannielynn Birkhead.
Age | Ethnicity
Anna Nicole Smith was born on November 28, 1967, in Mexia, Texas, USA. She tragically passed away at the age of 39 on February 8, 2007, in Hollywood, Florida. Smith was an American national, and her ethnicity was Caucasian.
Family Background | Early Life
Anna Nicole Smith was born to Virgie (née Tabers) Arthur (1951–2018) and Donald Hogan (1947–2009) in Mexia, Texas. She was the only daughter in her family and had five half-siblings from her father’s side. Smith was primarily raised by her mother and her extended family.
Education | Early Career
Smith dropped out of high school in 1984. She embarked on her professional journey and gained initial recognition when she appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine in March 1992 under the name Vickie Smith.
Her stunning pictorial in the May 1992 issue earned her the title of Playboy Playmate of the Month. This breakthrough opened doors to opportunities in the fashion industry.
Smith’s captivating looks and talent secured her a contract as the replacement for supermodel Claudia Schiffer in a Guess jeans ad campaign.
The campaign featured a series of alluring black-and-white photographs, and it was during this time that Smith adopted the stage name “Anna Nicole.”
Her resemblance to iconic bombshell Jayne Mansfield caught the attention of Guess photographers, who showcased her in Mansfield-inspired photo sessions. In 1993, Smith ventured into international modeling by representing the Swedish clothing company H&M.
Her image adorned billboards across Sweden and Norway. She also graced the covers of prestigious magazines like Marie Claire and GQ, solidifying her status as a fashion icon.
Husband and Children
Smith’s personal life was marked by a series of relationships and marriages. She married Billy Smith in 1985, and the couple welcomed a son named Daniel Wayne Smith on January 22, 1986. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1993.
In October 1991, while performing at a Houston strip club, Smith encountered J. Howard Marshall, an 86-year-old petroleum tycoon. The couple tied the knot on June 27, 1994, in Houston. Their marriage drew significant attention and speculation that Smith married Marshall for his wealth.
Unfortunately, Marshall passed away on August 4, 1995, in Houston at the age of 90. Smith’s personal life took a tragic turn when she was found unresponsive on February 8, 2007, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Despite the efforts of her bodyguard and emergency registered nurse, Smith could not be revived. Her passing was attributed to a combined drug intoxication. Smith’s legacy lives on through her children. In addition to her son Daniel, she had a daughter named Dannielynn Birkhead.
Net Worth
The exact amount of money Anna Nicole Smith had when she died is not known for sure. People speculate that she had millions of dollars because of her successful career in modeling and entertainment.
Some sources believe that Anna Nicole Smith had a net worth of $50 million when she passed away in 2007. However, according to Celebrity Net Worth, her net worth was $1 million at that time.
Career
Anna Nicole Smith began her career as a Playboy centerfold in May 1992, which opened doors to various opportunities in the fashion industry. Her alluring presence and modeling skills quickly made her a sought-after model, landing contracts with esteemed brands like Guess, H&M, and Heatherette. Smith’s captivating magazine covers for Marie Claire and GQ further solidified her status as a fashion icon.
Ventures in Acting and Television
In addition to modeling, Smith explored acting and television. She showcased her comedic talent in movies such as “The Hudsucker Proxy” (1994) and “Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult” (1994). Smith also had her own reality TV show called “The Anna Nicole Show,” which premiered in 2002 and provided a glimpse into her personal life and unique personality.
Controversies and Legal Battles
Smith’s personal life was marked by controversies and legal disputes. Her marriage to 89-year-old billionaire J. Howard Marshall raised suspicions about her motives, with accusations that she married him for his wealth.
Following Marshall’s death in 1995, Smith engaged in a lengthy legal battle to claim a portion of his estate. The legal disputes, including cases that reached the Supreme Court of the United States, Marshall v. Marshall and Stern v. Marshall garnered significant media attention.
Tragic Passing and Media Scrutiny
On February 8, 2007, Smith was found unresponsive at a hotel in Hollywood, Florida. Her death was attributed to a combination of drug intoxication. The circumstances surrounding her passing intensified media scrutiny around her life.
Legacy and Impact
Despite the controversies, Anna Nicole Smith left an undeniable impact on the modeling and entertainment industry. Her beauty, charisma, and larger-than-life personality made her an unforgettable figure in popular culture.
Personal Life
Anna Nicole Smith, a famous model and actress, was involved in various legal disputes over inheritance and paternity. Her life was marked by controversial events and tragic losses.
The Inheritance Battle
Smith asserted that her late husband, J. Howard Marshall, verbally promised her half of his estate, primarily consisting of a significant stake in Koch Industries.
Smith filed for bankruptcy in 1996, and the bankruptcy court became involved in the inheritance matter. In 2000, a Los Angeles bankruptcy judge awarded Smith a substantial amount, but a Texas probate court later ruled against her, leading to a federal court involvement.
In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Smith, affirming her right to pursue a share of her late husband’s estate. However, the case continued after the death of E. Pierce Marshall, Smith’s stepson, with the involvement of her infant daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead.
Paternity Controversy
Smith announced her pregnancy in 2006 and gave birth to her daughter, Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern, later that year. Two men, Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead, claimed to be the father.
A judge ordered DNA tests to determine the biological father. After Smith’s death, Birkhead was confirmed as the father through DNA testing, leading to the issuance of an amended birth certificate. Birkhead returned to the U.S. with Dannielynn, while Stern did not contest the results.
Tragic Losses
Smith’s son, Daniel Wayne Smith, died in 2006 from a drug overdose. The Bahamian jury ruled it as an accidental overdose, and Daniel was buried six weeks later.
Smith was deeply affected by her son’s death and expressed a desire to be buried with him. She saw herself as both a mother and father figure to Daniel, and emotionally struggled after his passing.
Informal Commitment Ceremony
Smith and Howard K. Stern participated in a non-legally binding commitment ceremony in the Bahamas in 2006. The ceremony was seen as an emotional boost during a difficult time for the couple.
Controversies
Smith obtained permanent residency in the Bahamas by claiming ownership of a mansion, which later became the subject of a legal dispute with real estate developer Gaither Ben Thompson.
Smith was allegedly addicted to prescription medications and diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Reports emerged of her being prescribed methadone during her pregnancy, leading to a medical board review.
