Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith, born Vickie Lynn Hogan on November 28, 1967, was an American model, actress, and television personality whose rise to fame and subsequent life were marked by dramatic highs and lows. Smith gained celebrity status in the 1990s through her modeling work for Guess and her brief yet controversial marriage to oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall.

ABOUT

Anna Nicole Smith is best known for her curvaceous figure and her flamboyant personality, which made her a beloved figure in the media. She first gained national recognition as a Playboy Playmate, leading to her being named Playmate of the Year in 1993. Her larger-than-life persona and frequent appearances in tabloids kept her in the public eye, whether through her modeling work, television appearances, or personal life controversies. Smith was also an actress, starring in films such as "The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994) and "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult" (1994).

BEFORE FAME

Born in Houston, Texas, Smith grew up in a modest household. She dropped out of high school during her sophomore year and worked various low-paying jobs, including as a waitress at local fried chicken restaurants. Seeking better opportunities, Smith began working in strip clubs. Her life took a dramatic turn when she sent nude photographs of herself to Playboy, which ultimately led to her being featured in the magazine and launched her modeling career. Her resemblance to iconic sex symbol Marilyn Monroe also helped her gain initial success in modeling.

TRIVIA

• Anna Nicole Smith was the spokesmodel for Guess jeans, which significantly boosted her career.
• She won the title of Playboy Playmate of the Year in 1993.
• In 2002, she starred in her own reality TV show, "The Anna Nicole Show," which became a hit but also highlighted her often tumultuous personal life.
• Smith's sudden and unexpected death on February 8, 2007, at the age of 39 was later attributed to an accidental overdose of prescription medications.
• She remains a prominent figure of American pop culture, known both for her striking beauty and her tragic personal story.

FAMILY LIFE

Anna Nicole was married twice in her lifetime. Her first marriage was to Billy Wayne Smith in 1985, with whom she had a son, Daniel Smith. The marriage ended in 1993. Her most famous marriage was to J. Howard Marshall, a Texas oil tycoon who was 63 years her senior. Their marriage, which lasted from 1994 until Marshall's death in 1995, was the subject of extensive legal battles over his estate, which extended well beyond her lifetime. Anna Nicole had a daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, born in 2006, with photographer Larry Birkhead, although her paternity was initially contested.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Anna Nicole Smith often drew comparisons to Marilyn Monroe and was frequently associated with the blonde bombshell persona. She also worked closely with fashion photographer Daniela Federici during her peak modeling years, especially while working for Guess. Her high-profile marriage and subsequent legal battles concerning J. Howard Marshall’s estate made her a figure of intrigue and controversy, often linking her name with legal and celebrity news for years. Her reality TV show, "The Anna Nicole Show," further associated her with other early 2000s reality TV icons, embedding her within the cultural zeitgeist of that era.