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Anna Nicole Smith lived her life always on the brink of the American Dream.
The former stripper with a pneumatic bust burst into public view when she featured on the cover of Playboy magazine and was named its 1993 Playmate of the Year. She became a famous model for Guess jeans, her rumpled platinum hair giving her the look of a latterday Marilyn Monroe.
Ms Smith married a Texas multimillionaire who was 63 years her senior. After his death and a Supreme Court judgment she stood to inherit part of his fortune.
Ms Smith even starred in her own reality TV show, which was cancelled after her behaviour became too bizarre, even for American viewers.
But yesterday the 39-year-old actress and model, who had been wracked by problems with drugs, alcohol and depression and lost her son to an overdose only five months ago, met an untimely end when she was found lying “unresponsive” in her sixth-floor room at a luxurious Florida hotel.
“I can confirm that she is deceased. It’s as shocking to me as to you guys,” Ronald Rale, her lawyer, said. “Poor Anna Nicole.”
Crime scene investigators were at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, last night as police began an investigation, saying that there was no immediate indication of the circumstances of her death. A postmortem examination will be performed today.
Ms Smith’s personal nurse, who travels with her and was the first to find her, had called the hotel switchboard for help at 1.45pm local time and a bodyguard attempted to revive her until the arrival of paramedics from the Seminole fire and rescue service. They administered cardio-pulmonary resuscitation techniques and inserted a breathing tube in an attempt to bring her back to life but Ms Smith did not respond. She was rushed to the nearby Memorial Regional Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
The sudden death came after several years of turbulence and tragedy for the model and triggered an immediate courtroom battle for custody of her five-month-old daughter, Dannielynn, whose paternity is the subject of a legal dispute between her last two lovers.
Ms Smith, born Vickie Lynn Hogan, married J. Howard Marshall II, a Texas oil tycoon, in 1994, when she was 26 and a stripper, and he was wheelchair-bound and 89. Marshall died the following year, leaving her in a protracted battle with his son for his $1.6 billion (£820 million) estate.
She gave birth to a baby girl in the Bahamas last September, but three days later her son, Daniel, 20, who had been sleeping in her hospital room as she recovered from the birth, was found dead beside her bed after a methadone and antidepressant overdose.
Ms Smith named her baby in honour of her son, but before she had even buried him she was cavorting on a yacht in a wedding dress, claiming to have “married” her longtime friend and legal adviser, Howard K. Stern. Mr Stern, who claims to be the baby’s father, was said to be “speechless and grieving” last night.
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R I P anna your in the arms of the angels may you find comfort there xxx
carmela evans, neath, united kingdom
RIP
Bo Beau, Salt Lake, Utah, USA
Anna Nicole Smith Rest in peace we will always remember you and love you...!
shahad, kuwait, mishref
RiP anna god bless you :'( x0x
natalie, belfast,NI, Uniyed Kingdom
May Anna Nicole find peace. God Bless. Rest in peace!!!!!!!!
andie, Nottingham, England
Yet another tragic example of the pornography industry chewing up and spitting out another woman. When will we as a society learn to value women for much, much more than what they look like and how much they weigh?!
Lois, NC, USA
with deepest sympathy, she was so aggraveted in life please let her rest in peace now. everybody just BACK OFF
Yvonne Robinson, Atlanta, Georgia
Don't forget Bobby Trendy. She gave him his big break, and he eclipsed her. Not easy, considering his stature
Dan, London, UK
Certainly, this is a plot worthy of the late Agatha Christie.
Suicide hardly, murder most probable. Leaving behind legal battles over who the childs father is surely a sign , that Ms.Smith, feeling a looming threat over herself and the remaining heir to the Marshall fortune, knew this would thrust ,that child into a media spotlight. Who would be so bold to near themselves / or seek out this possible heiress now ??
As the late Christie Quoted "Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody."
Gianni, smithtown, N.Y. U.S.A.
I cant imagine the pain that her husband and close friends/family must be going through. God bless you and espically bless her baby girl. Prayers with you.
Chalon, magna , utah
Despite all of her issues her passing is very sad. She was a lost, troubled but beautiful woman who rose from nothingness to an American icon of sexuality. My her soul find peace.
Catherine, Indianapolis, IN
God Bless and may your soul rest in peace.
Erin, Cypress, Texas
None of us are perfect. May she find the peace in death that she could not find in life.
Paul, Lansing, Michigan
my heart goes out to her family and gob bless her baby.
melissa morgan, corpus christi, tx
I am saddened by the sudden death of Anna Nicole Smith, who just suffered the loss of her son. What a sad life she led for such a beautiful lady. The life she led was fast and furious, but so very sad.
I don't care who you are, you have to feel the loss of another. Such tragedy seems to follow some people and she seemed to be one that had a dark cloud over her.
God bless Anna's family, especially her new baby. I will say a prayer for all........
Myra Barnett, Leesburg , USA/Indiana
I'm just really sad and shocked at the outcome of this young womans life. Yes it sounds like a typical scandalous Hollywood timeline of events, but we all must understand she was a human being, a person with true feelings and emotions, and at times a person that was greatly misunderstood. From media "darling" to media "trainwreck" Anna Nicole will always be remembered as one of Guess's most beautiful faces, Playboy's curvaceous bombshell and E! Networks hurricane on heels...Rest In Peace Anna
J. Alexander, Ft Lauderdale, Florida/ USA
As an American, I feel sorry for Anna Nicole. I mean some of her actions were more than questionable at certain points during her life, but the fact of the matter is, in recent months she has had to deal with the death of her son and a court battle with her daughter. She also endured so much scrutiny by the media especially when she was overweight. It makes me question now how TrimSpa is going to react to her death. Even if the cause of death is unrelated I still forsee problems for the organization.
Nicole, London, UK
I feel like none of us can judge her and say how slutty she was and how her life fell apart. she lived her life. we live our live. she did what she did and nothing can change that. so stop judging her as well as everyone else in the media and start worrying about your life. So many people do drugs but its not a big deal because they aren't 'famous' but god forbid once a person with a big name does something wrong then the media prys on it and nobody ever stops talking about it. RIP anna.
Carla, auburn, ma
What an incredibly tragic life and end. Every bit of success she had was somehow overshadowed by some event or circumstance. The entire "American Dream" stereotype aside, this woman seemed in a constant search of stability, and what is most tragic is even whe she had found it, she had no idea how to hang onto it. I do hope she figures it out the next time around.
K. Bright, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Sarah, if your going to be rude to regarding the deceased, at least take a few grammar courses.
Anna's spirit is alive in this world and will be remembered by many for years to come. It's a shame to see her life was cut short.
Anna rest in peace and know that some people understand empathy beyond the spectrum of their own world, a world that tied you to many people, whether good and bad.
You're with your son now--and may you find the comfort and peace you were so desperately were trying to obtain here on earth but couldn't.
cyn, Soo, MI
I take umbrage at the statement that Anna Nicole was living the "American dream". It was more like the American nightmare. She was excessive in almost every aspect of her life and far over the top of what mainstream America think of as it's "dream". Such a shame that another child had been born into her nightmare of a life.
Jillian Cunningham, Boston, Massachusetts USA
elegy for a goddess
where have all the flowers gone?
blah blah blah blah
where have all the flowers gone?
blah blah blah
where have all the flowers gone?
blah blah blah blah
dancing o'er the flowing waves
of the palsied hippopotomai
(edited for content)
the alf, NYC, USA
oh well..... rip anna,suppose it always was gonna come to this.
bob, essex,
I believe that Anna Nichole Smith was a walking corpse. I believe that although she seemed happy following the birth of her daughter, it was her son who took her heart and soul to the grave. There was no cure for her grief and although she kept taking medication to numb her for a couple of days, deep down inside she had nothing to look forward to. I do not think she wanted to kill herself but she did not value her life either. May she rest in peace along with her son. I also pray that her daughter does not follow the same fate as her mother. May she grow up in home full of love and happiness to guide all throughout her life.
jessica, North York,
I saw her recently on a television programme and although she was smiling and flirting with the photographers, you could tell from the look in her eyes, that something was missing. She seemed so happy, yet her head and heart held a different story. Rest In Peace.
Sparkle , Rochdale , United Kingdom
That's Showbusiness?
Henry Percy, London, UK
I Loved Anna She Was The Best There Was My Prayers Go Out To Danielynn........ An I Would Hope We All Know Anna Is Happier Than She Could Ever Be Now Being With Her Son And Watching Over Her Precious Gift To This World I Hope That Child Will Be Taken Care Of...
Royce Anderson, Sulphur, Louisiana
I was very shocked to hear this news. I think that is tragic that the little baby will not know her mother or her brother. We should, though this is sad, make a big deal out of all of the soldiers and innocent people dying everyday more of a public announcement. For the woman who said, "oh well she is dead we are alive," what kind of a comment is that. Have you no heart? She is someones family member. How dare you. Shame shame shame on you...
Jenn, Great Falls, Montana
What American dream? She was a girl from a miserable little Texas town who fell in with people who offered her lots of money. She was greedy and not too smart and everything ended badly. It might not happen with so much media coverage, but don't things like this happen everywhere?
Madame Bovary was French, Monsieur Renucci.
Michael, Fort Worth, Tx.
This is a truly sad day for everyone.there is a little girl here without a mummy to love her,and see her grow up.she also has no brother,and doesnt know now who her father is.its such a shame that anna has passed away,i actually dont think she got over losing her son daniel.she is now hopefully after a long battle,at peace with her loving son.just a shame she left behind a precious little daughter,which i dont think she would have inteneded to do if her mind wasnt else were.R.I.P.annaxxxxxxxxxx
kerry adams, hull, united kingdom
Maybe if America and who ever els had their nose to far in Anna's affairs, she might be alive today. Every time I looked up Anna Nicole's face and recent tragedy was plastered to the television. Yes- she was beautiful, and it was nice to hear of her sometimes. No- I did not want to hear her whole life history. So I'm glad I'm glad that I'm not famous. R.I.P Anna
Autumn, New CASTLE, PA
No one should pass judgement on anyone in this life... that comes to us all after passing from this one into next. What a very sad and tragic end, leaving a small baby without a mother. Have the decency to wait for the coroner's report before jumping to conclusions. My daughter commited suicide six months ago, by hanging herself, so I understood Anna's pain with the loss of her son, though his appeared accidental; being in a disturbed mental state, no matter what the reason, leaves no room for nasty comments from others, but rather compassion and understanding. I will never understand the public scrutiny she was under as a celebrity, thank God. I continue to grieve in private. No one deserves to die with ambulance chasers, be they with camera, or pen. Anna is now reunited with the son she so loved. May they both rest in peace.
Janet, Honolulu, HI
sad... poor family. poor life.. very sad..
Taylan, Sydney, Sydney / AUS
What a sad, sad day for Anna Nicoles family and Daniellyn Hope. What a sad end to a turbulent life! I find myself speechless, not understanding the pain that followed Anna for most of her life. I pray that she is at peace with her son and that her daughter is raised by a family who truly loves her and nutures her. May this be a lesson to all that bad parenting, mixed with depressed children who feel no purpose in life only end with tragic stories. Remember to put your children first before everything else! RIP Anna and Daniel.
Janeen, Brooklyn, New York
It looks really tragic, leaving a young baby without a mother... but from a first glance only.
Her son died of drug overdose, I wander how he ended up like this, maybe it has something to do with his mother, a renown drug addict herself. Now imagine this young baby growing with a mother like this... can you see this young girl in 20 years, it is not an overstatement, that she would eventually end up the same way as her brother.
Perhaps that is a chance for a young baby to have a decent life.
It cerainly is a heartless thing to say, but practical as well.
Think carefully what is better? Growing up as an orphan or growing up with a mother like this?
Ilia, Brno, Cech Rep
"Anna Nicole Smith lived her life always on the brink of the American Dream"
The "American Dream", a fancy way for saying ,Drugs,Alcohol and gread!
Scott Wilson, No need to know.,
Good Lord, what a shock to many... It's the sort of tragic story one would expect to come from Shakespeare. May she rest in peace.
Chris Crichton-Rankin, Lytham, UK
What a sad life. I believe many people would have contributed to her overwhelming sadness, and there will be a price to pay for those responsible. Not one person seemed to be able to reach out to her..there will definately be a price to pay.
Emily, Melbourne, Australia
Yes, it certainly can happen to anyone (sonic69), especially with past drug and alcohol abuse combined with antidepressive drugs, not to mention the generally unhealthy lifestyle that models lead.
lee morgan, reading, england
Whatever has gone on in the past and whatever the circumstances are surrounding Ms Smiths tragic death, the fact is there is a young baby who has been left without a mother, and a family left grieving not one, but too sudden deaths at a young age. R.I.P Anna Nicole and Daniel.
L Evans, Rhondda, UK
"Anna Nicole Smith lived her life always on the brink of the American Dream" ?
Well. If this is an aspect of the American Dream, it is perhaps time to wake up...
René RENUCCI, Paris, France
No Conspiracy there - her son died of a drug overdose and so did she. It's as simple as that
Rudy Parker, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Anna Nicole smith "on the cusp of the American dream"? Most Americans, I suspect, do not aspire to become strippers, marry wealthy oil tycoons six decades older than themselves, become known for bizarre behavior, lose children to death and die before 40. There are different kinds of sensationalism, aren't there, and the writer just couldn't resist a trite, faux-profound zeitgeist attempt with that headline, hmm?
T. Roth, Danbury, CT, USA
ridiculous consipiracy you say?... That's what they say about Roswell, perhaps Col from Macclesfield knows too much. Keeps your eyes posted for his name in the headlines. Aliens could have implanted something during that breast augmentation.
Larry Ellison, Oaklahama, Kansas
Jesus CHRIST. No model has to be skinny and take drugs to look the best ! You could be the ugliest person on earth and be a model, and anna nicole smith was one of those unlucky pepole who died due to bad health. Her passing has been splashed all over the news, like something fun to read. When no one realises how rediculus the weight of these models are!
Hannah Stillyards, Lincoln ,
I am 37 years old it just goes to show you it could happen anytime (never think it wont happen to you )
God bless you anna and your little girl
R.I.P
sonic69_uk, durham, UK
Yes, interesting isn't it. we say 'conspiracy theory', but a theory has to be capable of some degree of proof, or have at least a little credibility. Most of them don't even stand up as hypotheses. From Kennedy to Diana, to Monroe and beyond all flawed and yet the media thrive on them? Why? Let's just wait and see what is established by the provable facts shall we?
Steve, Shrewsbury,
Poor misguided creature. Reaching for stars she never truly obtained, and then having her slutty story splashed over the world's news sheets. I hope her learning process is easier on the next level.
Imogen Lathbury, Vienna, Austria
Hmm very convienent for the family of her ex hubby isn't it?
Mike, Ipswich, suffolk
Oh Great. Why do I get the feeling that this sad death is probably the start of another ridiculous conspiracy theory?
Col, Macclesfiled,
An awful run of misfortune. Methinks the money was harder to handle than she could ever imagine RIP
Majella, Donegal, Ireland
What a tragic end. As the mother of a five-month old and an 18 year old, I felt I could relate to ANS. My heart is broken for her newborn baby and I hope that all works out for her. Rest in peace Anna.
cathi, OC, CA
It's MM all over again.
Eugene Cappuccio, Heidelberg, germany
In my opinion she wasn't a postive personality though I feel sorry for her and her relatives and friends.
R.I.P
Adam, Vienna, Austria
awhh this is so sad!!! =( first her son, now her, and she has a 5 month old baby =( I seen and I was so shocked, RIP ANNA!
Megan, Hamilton, Canada
I can't believe she is gone, she was a beautiful women -- my prayers are with her --God bless her. What happens to her beautiful baby Danielynn? Is there someone to take care of her.
Rose Barnes, Upland, California
I think this is a tragedy , In todays society people love so much to read the bad stuff about celebrities that there lifes have to be so disrupted . Poor Anna nicole didnt even get the respect and privacy anyone deserves , She lost her child and all people cared about was the rumors and gossip and finding out more and its sad she had to die so young I truly believe she died of a broken heart . My heart goes out to her family and anyone that was close to her and is grieving over her passing , Especially her beautiful baby girl may god bless Dannilynn and may Anna rest in peace.
Jennifer, Pearland, Texas
This is a very tragic time. Anna Nicole was an icon. Whether or not she did good or bad, she left a mark on this world. Her death is very sad and the fact that she leaves behind an infant is even more sad. We should all take this time to respect her loved ones and keep any negative comments to ourselves.
Bekki, Seattle, WA
may anna rest in peace with her son
jason, las vegas, nm
God Bless Danielynn and God Bless Anna Nicole and her family. Our prayers are with them.
Jen, Philadelphia, PA
I just feel bad for her baby.
Carina, Pahrump, NV
Theories will be numerous as to the exact cause of her untimely death today; may God Bless Anna Nicole Smith and all judgement left for a higher being. Prayers to her family... especially the baby.
Marc Devito, Salt Lake City, Utah
she, probaly died of a broken heart, from all the pain
susan vanderhoning, kentville, canada
Certainly , this is a case worthy of the great late Agatha Christie.
Suicide hardly, Murder most Probable.
After the mysterious death of her son, how better could she have done? Feeling a looming threat over herself , and the remaining heir to the Marhall fortune. Ms. Smith , leaving behind such suspect over her child knew this would thrust, her child into a media spotlight. This would certainly protect her child with the worlds eyes upon her.
As the great late Christie quoted "Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody."
Gianni, smithtown, N.Y. U.S.A.
what a disgusting thing to say she's dead but we're not! What a compassionate person.
Rest in Peace Anna. God please watch over her baby and let her have a peaceful happy life.
eileen johnson, Vancouver, Canada
wow of all people, this is so unexspected...i feel so much for her baby girl who never got to know her mother or brother. the only way she will ever know what kind of person her mother was is through all the publicity she kept sturring...which wasent the most flattering
Royce, Las Vegas, Nevada
That's abolutely sad. First her son and now her. Her daughter is now left w/o a mother and brother. May God bless her!
Cherrie, Downey, CA
It is sad & not suprising to hear she is gone. I always thought she was one of the sexiest Guess Girls ever I liked her Marilyn Monroe look. I do hope that she is at peace & in a better place than she is going to be remembered for.
MsMadyson, Phoenix, AZ
Wow! I just saw her on the news yesterday and how the media was causing her so much pain harrassing her and her husband about her son's death. She needed to die for people to leave her alone...that's sucks!
Gisele, Los Angeles, Ca
I think this is a real bad tragedy. And if the media has any class, a heart, intelligence, and/or love for children, they will leave her small daughter, Danielynn Hope, alone. Don't snap shots of her and publish them. She is a small infant that is without the person who carried her for nine months and nurtured her. I believe with respect and class for her, we as human beings can let her learn of her mother's life on her own.
AMERICA, let the family grieve and love that little girl as close to Anna Nicole's love.
Angel, Phoenix, USA/AZ
could it be that she had committed sucide because the over survilance and reporting of her baby's father and her livestyle.
i think the media might have caused this unberable stress on nicole.
sandra, brampton, canada
it is a very unfortunate and sad day for everyone. my deepest condolences and prayers go out to her family, friends and her baby girl. may her life live on in memory forever.
we will miss you anna
rip
amanda, b'more, 21222
"Who gets her millions" and "Oh Well. She's dead but we're not"?
The milk of human kindness truly does run over, does it not?
John A Blackley, Austin, Texas
She seemed to be a desperately, lonely woman because all of her antics were cries for attention.
Doreen, Jacksonville, Florida USA
Meh.
Smacky Mouse, Hamilton, On, Canada
A tragic set of events for all involved, especially baby Dannilynn. I don't think Anna NIcole ever recovered from losing her son, what mother could.. May they both rest in peace together.
Sharon Carrier, Woonsocket, RI
Sarah from Arizona - The way you commented on the fact that oh well - shes dead, we're not is very odd and absolutely cruel. I feel sorry for her family and her newborn daughter .
Heather, dayton, oh
i think she died because she had so much guilt from her sons death and all the pressure of the media witht the baby father that she commited suiside because she mentally couldnt deal with it all.
Kelly Laird, Escondido, California
I really like anna nicole she was a winder actor on the anna nicole show, and she will be missed,
Monica, Seneca , IL
Kinda wierd how everyone is dying after the courts decide she can go on to claim the money from her ex... and in other stories... no one knows where Stern has disappeared to? Oddly enough, something doesn't sound right, I'm thinking suicide or murder
Sarah, Schofield, WI
I predict that she will appear in a digitally altered Pepsi commercial in 20 years.
Jeebo, Eugene, OR,
who gets her millions
meagan , richland , washington
I believe that Anna died from the same reason her son died. I think that she was upset and wasn't trying to kill herself just trying to make the pain go away and overdost. Oh Well. She's dead but were not.
Sarah, bullhead, Arizona
This is avery sad moment for American camp and kitsch.
May she rest in peace
Much love honey
Billy, Athens, OH