On this page, you can find information about Anna Nicole Smith’s net worth, biography, age, height, weight, and other details. Anna Nicole Smith was an American model, actress, and television personality who has a net worth of approximately US$1 million dollars at the time of her death.
Who is Anna Nicole Smith?
Anna Nicole Smith, originally named Vickie Lynn Hogan, was an American model, actress, and television personality. She gained recognition after being featured as a Playboy magazine centerfold in March 1992 and subsequently being crowned the 1993 Playmate of the Year. Throughout her career, she also worked as a fashion model for renowned companies like Guess, H&M, and Heatherette. In 1984, Smith made the decision to drop out of high school. She got married in 1985 but went through a divorce in 1993.
Her second marriage, in 1994, to J. Howard Marshall, a billionaire who was 89 years old at the time, attracted significant media attention and led to rumors that she married him for his wealth, allegations she refuted. Following Marshall’s passing in 1995, Smith became involved in a lengthy legal battle concerning her entitlement to a portion of his estate.
Her legal disputes eventually reached the Supreme Court of the United States in cases known as Marshall v. Marshall, concerning federal jurisdiction, and Stern v. Marshall, concerning the authority of bankruptcy courts. Tragically, Smith passed away in February 2007 in Hollywood, Florida, due to a combination of drug intoxication.
| Who is Anna Nicole Smith? Overview | |
|---|---|
| Original Name | Vickie Lynn Hogan |
| Celebrated Name | Anna Nicole Smith |
| Date of Birth | November 28, 1967 |
| Date of Death | February 8, 2007 |
| Age | 39 years old |
| Place of Birth | Harris County |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.8 m) |
| Profession | Stripper, Adult model, Actor, Film Producer, Spokesperson, Screenwriter, Film director, Model |
| Nationality | United States of America |
Anna Nicole Smith’s Net Worth
Anna Nicole Smith, an American model, actress, and television personality, had a net worth of $1 million dollars at the time of her death. She rose to fame when she was crowned the 1993 Playmate of the Year, becoming a well-known figure. Smith further garnered attention through her appearances on reality TV shows and modeling gigs for prominent brands like H&M, Lane Bryant, and Guess Jeans.
| Anna Nicole Smith Net Worth Overview | |
|---|---|
| Celebrated Name | Anna Nicole Smith |
| Net Worth | $1 Million |
| Date of Birth | Nov 28, 1967 |
| Died | Feb 8, 2007 |
| Age | 39 years old |
| Place of Birth | Harris County |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.8 m) |
| Profession | Stripper, Adult model, Actor, Film Producer, Spokesperson, Screenwriter, Film director, Model |
| Nationality | United States of America |
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J. Howard Marshall Estate Battle
Marriage and Legal Battle with J. Howard Marshall II
Anna Nicole Smith was married to Texas billionaire J. Howard Marshall II for 14 months from 1994 to 1995 until his passing at the age of 90. Marshall’s significant wealth came from his 16% ownership stake in Koch Industries, which was valued at $1.6 billion at the time of his death.
Anna Nicole quickly became involved in a legal dispute with her stepson, E. Pierce Marshall, as J. Howard’s will stated that E. Pierce would inherit all of his assets, excluding Anna and another son named J. Howard II. Anna claimed that J. Howard had verbally promised her half of his estate, leading to a lengthy legal battle.
Bankruptcy and Legal Appeals
In 1996, Anna declared bankruptcy in California while continuing to appeal the Texas court’s ruling. In 2000, the California bankruptcy court ruled in Anna’s favor, entering a $475 million judgment. However, E. Pierce appealed, initially successfully reverting the judgment.
In March 2002, a district court ruled in Anna’s favor, stating she was entitled to half of their community property, which encompassed the appreciation of assets during their marriage. The court vacated the $475 million judgment and instead awarded Anna $88 million.
Legal Battle Reaches the Supreme Court
E. Pierce appealed to Texas’ Ninth Circuit Court of appeals, which determined he was not one of Marshall’s heirs, subsequently vacating the $88 million judgment. Anna appealed the case to the United States Supreme Court, and on May 1, 2006, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor, stating that the Ninth Circuit’s judgment was false, allowing her to continue pursuing the case in the Ninth Circuit.
Final Rulings and Settlement
In March 2010, the Ninth Circuit court finally ruled that Anna’s bankruptcy court claim was false, and she was not entitled to any of J. Howard Marshall’s estate. The court determined that the bankruptcy court lacked jurisdiction in Texas since the probate had already been settled. E. Pierce Marshall passed away on June 20, 2006, at the age of 67. His estate was left to his wife, Elaine Marshall, and their two children.
Tragic Death and Inheritance
Anna Nicole Smith passed away on February 8, 2007, at the age of 39. Her will left all her assets to her son, Daniel. However, Daniel tragically died six months prior to Anna’s death at the age of 20 due to an accidental drug overdose. At the time of her death, Anna’s estate included $1.8 million in real estate with a $1.1 million mortgage. Her daughter, Danielynn, born three days before Daniel’s death in 2006, became Anna’s next of kin.
Continued Legal Battle and Final Outcome
Howard K. Stern, Anna’s former attorney, continued the legal fight on behalf of Danielynn, initially claiming to be the girl’s father. However, Larry Birkhead ultimately established paternity. After 15 years of legal battles, all of Anna’s claims and previous judgments were overturned in favor of the Marshall family.
If Anna had been successful, she would have owned 8% of Koch Industries and potentially been worth around $8 billion. Instead, Elaine Marshall, the widow of E. Pierce Marshall, is now worth $17 billion and is one of the richest women in the world.
Early Life
Born as Vickie Lynn Hogan on November 28, 1967, in Houston, Texas, Anna Nicole Smith grew up with five half-siblings and was primarily raised by her mother and aunt. She initially attended Aldine High School in Houston before transferring to Mexia High School, where she decided to drop out during her sophomore year. During her teenage years, Anna looked up to Marilyn Monroe as her role model. Before entering the spotlight, she worked as an exotic dancer in Texas and became a single mother at the age of 20.
Modeling Career
Playboy Career and Modeling Success
In March 1992, Vickie Smith made her debut in Playboy magazine. Shortly after, she was honored as the Playboy Playmate of the Month for the May 1992 issue. Her popularity continued to rise, and within a year, she was recognized as the Playmate of the Year. It was during this time that she made a significant decision to change her name to Anna Nicole Smith.
Guess Jeans Campaign and International Recognition
Anna Nicole Smith’s career took a leap forward when she secured a contract to replace Claudia Schiffer in a prominent Guess jeans ad campaign. This opportunity further propelled her into the limelight. She gained substantial international attention after modeling for the renowned Swedish company H&M, where her striking image adorned large billboards in Sweden and Norway. Her success extended to the cover of Marie Claire magazine in Germany, solidifying her presence in the fashion industry.
Controversial Magazine Feature
In August 1994, New York Magazine published an issue titled “White Trash Nation,” which featured a photograph of Anna Nicole Smith. The image captured her squatting in a skirt with white cowboy boots while indulging in chips. However, Smith’s legal team argued that she had not authorized the use of her photo and initiated a lawsuit against New York Magazine, seeking $5 million in damages.
Film and Television Career
Early Roles and Recognition
Anna Nicole Smith ventured into the world of acting alongside her successful modeling career. Her screen debut came in the 1994 screwball comedy “The Hudsucker Proxy.” Soon after, she landed a more significant role as Tanya Peters in “Naked Gun 33 ⅓: The Final Insult” (1994). The film garnered favorable reviews and achieved moderate success at the box office. However, Smith often found herself typecast as the “ditzy dumb blonde” archetype by Hollywood studios.
Challenges and Attempts at Serious Roles
In 1995, Smith took on a more serious role as Colette Dubois in “To the Limit.” Despite the film’s high-profile promotion and substantial budget, her performance received negative reviews, and the movie failed to resonate with audiences. Smith attempted to revive her movie career with a leading role in the low-budget direct-to-video film “Skyscraper” (1996), but it did not contribute to her breakthrough.
Transition to Television and Reality Show Fame
During the late 1990s, Smith shifted her focus towards television roles. She made appearances in shows such as “Sin City Spectacular,” “Veronica’s Closet,” and had a guest appearance on “Ally McBeal.” As her popularity with tabloids grew, she was offered her own reality show on the E! cable network.
“The Anna Nicole Show,” which premiered on August 4, 2002, offered an intimate look into her personal life, including her relationship with her boyfriend and attorney Howard K. Stern, her son Daniel Wayne Smith, and her beloved poodle Sugar Pie. The show became a sensation, attracting a wide audience and achieving record-breaking ratings for a reality show. However, it was eventually canceled in June 2003.
Continued Film Efforts and Final Projects
Following her reality show stint, Smith appeared in the comedy film “Wasabi Tuna,” but both the film and her performance received negative reviews. She made a brief appearance in the film “Be Cool,” starring John Travolta. Her final film before her untimely death was in the parody film “Illegal Aliens,” where she starred alongside wrestler Joani Chyna Laurer.
Personal Life
Early Relationships and Motherhood
While working at a Jim’s Krispy Fried Chicken in Mexia, Texas, Anna Nicole Smith crossed paths with Billy Wayne Smith, a cook at the restaurant. They married on April 4, 1985, when Anna was only seventeen years old. Their son, Daniel Wayne Smith, was born in January 1986. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1993.
Marriage to J. Howard Marshall
After being named Playmate of the Year, Anna caught the attention of J. Howard Marshall, an oil business mogul. They tied the knot in June 1994, following their meeting at a Houston strip club. Despite the significant age difference, with Marshall being 62 years her senior, rumors circulated that Anna married him for his wealth. Sadly, their marriage lasted just thirteen months, as Marshall passed away in Houston at the age of 90.
Legal Battle for Inheritance
Following Marshall’s death, a bitter and protracted legal battle ensued between Anna Nicole Smith and Marshall’s son, Pierce Marshall. Anna sought to inherit half of her late husband’s $1.6 billion estate. Initially, she was awarded $475 million, but the decision was later overturned. The legal saga spanned years and involved multiple trials, including two appearances before the United States Supreme Court. Ultimately, Anna’s estate did not receive any part of Marshall’s fortune.
Tragic Losses and Personal Struggles
The last months of Anna’s life were marked by immense personal challenges. She faced the heartbreaking loss of her 20-year-old son, Daniel, who tragically died from an accidental drug overdose in September 2006. Around the same time, she became embroiled in a highly publicized paternity and custody battle over her newborn daughter, Dannielynn.
While in a relationship with Howard K. Stern, multiple men claimed to be the baby’s father. Ultimately, DNA testing confirmed that entertainment photographer Larry Birkhead was Dannielynn’s biological father.
Passing and Investigation
On February 8, 2007, Anna Nicole Smith was found deceased in her hotel room in Hollywood, Florida. An investigation conducted over seven weeks determined that she had succumbed to a combined drug intoxication, with chloral hydrate identified as the primary component along with four benzodiazepines. Additionally, she had taken Benadryl.
No illegal substances were found in her system, and it was later revealed that most of the drugs discovered were prescribed to Stern rather than Smith. Her funeral was held on March 2, 2007, marking the end of a life filled with both triumphs and hardships.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The official cause of death was an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including chloral hydrate, clonazepam, and diazepam. However, there have been many theories about the circumstances surrounding her death, including allegations of foul play.
Anna Nicole Smith died on February 8, 2007, at the age of 39.
Anna Nicole Smith’s first husband, Billy Wayne Smith, is a truck driver who lives in Mexia, Texas. The couple met in 1984 when they were both working at Jim’s Krispy Fried Chicken in Mexia. They were married in 1985 and had a son together, Daniel Wayne Smith, in 1986. The couple divorced in 1993.
Anna Nicole Smith died on February 8, 2007, at the age of 39. She was found unresponsive in her hotel room by her personal assistant.
Anna Nicole Smith’s son, Daniel Wayne Smith, died on September 10, 2006, at the age of 20. He was found unresponsive in his Florida hotel room and pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy found that he died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, including methadone, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants.Daniel Wayne Smith was born on January 27, 1986, in Mexia, Texas. He was the son of Anna Nicole Smith and her first husband, Billy Wayne Smith. The couple divorced when Daniel was 1 year old.
Anna Nicole Smith, unfortunately, did not receive any inheritance from her husband J. Howard Marshall II. Following Marshall’s death in 1995, his entire estate was bequeathed to his son Pierce Marshall. Smith contested the will, asserting that Marshall had verbally promised her half of his estate. However, a Texas jury ruled in favor of Pierce Marshall in 1999. Despite the setback, Smith persisted in her pursuit of the inheritance and filed for bankruptcy in California in 2002. In 2006, a bankruptcy court granted her a favorable judgment of $474 million. However, this decision was later overturned by a federal appeals court in 2009 after an appeal by Pierce Marshall. Tragically, Smith passed away in 2007 before she could bring the case to the Supreme Court. Eventually, her estate reached a settlement of $88 million, which was awarded to her daughter, Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern. The lengthy legal battle surrounding Anna Nicole Smith’s inheritance captured widespread media attention, prompting discussions about the fairness of probate systems and the rights of spouses and children in matters of inheritance.
