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Anna Nicole Smith: The Beautiful and the Damned

Posted: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:28 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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I was out of town last week and missed out on all the initial fuss over Anna Nicole Smith's death, but things are only continuing to get weirder.

This Associated Press article, in which a reporter checks into a Hollywood, Fla. suite similar to the one where Smith spent her last hours, presents an eloquent take without being maudlin.

The reporter's lead is especially poignant: "Anna Nicole Smith rode the elevator with everyone else, to a room that wasn’t the most expensive, at a hotel that wasn’t the nicest, in a hardscrabble part of town with the right name on the wrong coast."  (My smart-alec side wants to point out that a $1,600 suite is probably a pretty nice suite regardless, but I still like his phrasing.)

You'll seldom see the late Playboy Playmate mentioned in the same sentence as acclaimed writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, but there are echoes in that article of Fitzgerald describing his parents' home on St. Paul's ritzy Summit Avenue as "a house below the average on a street above the average."

And maybe that's not as weird as it sounds -- the most interesting thing about Anna Nicole to me was that she was never able to lose the part of her that was Vickie Lynn Marshall who worked at Jim's Krispy Fried Chicken in Mexia, Texas.

She could change her name, she could color her hair, she could put Mexia in her rearview mirror, but you were never going to mistake her for someone who was to the manor born. Just like Fitzgerald, whose battles with money, class, and the surrounding issues were legendary, she never fit in.

 

 

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Comments

OMG!!! I can't believe she's dead! She was my role model and everything I thought a girl should be. Damn it why did it have to be her!!!! WHHHHHHHHYYY!

Jeanie Doomass (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:30 PM)

she was beautiful. No matter what people say about her the one thing that she did was go for her dream. She made it, she got to Hollywood and made a name for herself and everyone learned about her. Look at us, so many of us want a dream of fame and fortune and hardly any really make it. She made it, doesn't matter how she got there, the point is....she did it, she got there. If she wasn't such an amazing woman we all wouldn't be googling her and watching what else unfolds in her tragic story of life. She was amazing and beautiful and an incredible mother. So everyone needs to lay off of her and just respect the fact that she is now resting in peace.

Vanessa, Houston TX (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:52 PM)

We are in deep morning for the beautiful Anna Nicole we loved and she will be forever missed, the world will surely be much uglier without the beautiful Anna Nicole

Jean Samms (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:52 PM)

Eventhough I wasn't a fan of hers...it is tragic regardless.

nicole, Portland, oreong (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:54 PM)

i think that you are trashing mexia texas and lower class people who are trying to make a living even if it is at a chicken place. No one deserves to die and no one deserves to die and not get to rest in peace! thank god you were out of town and i wish you would go back out of town if you are going to be rude it is people like you that this world has come to be the way it is today!!!

Brandi Bradberry, college station,al (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:54 PM)

i am very saddened, it was like hearing a family member had passed. my prayers go out to howard and the baby. i just pray it is his he's been through so much, and he will tell the baby how great and funny her mother was, so everyone needs to back off of howard. anna will be greatly missed

jonnie stilwell ok (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:57 PM)

Why did she have to die? I loved her so much and hope my daughters are just like her. She was the most beautiful woman alive.

Johnny Rembrandt (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 5:09 PM)

Forgive me for not being sensitive to the death of Ms. Smith but, WHO CARES!? I mean give me a break. Every single headline on every news broadcast is about Anna Nicole Smith. Hello!, she's just one person out of 6+ billion others. Her life was a mess and you mean to tell me that all we have time to do is mourn over the death of someone who led a confused debauched life. Move on people, move on. There are far more "important" deaths that take place in the world of people who actually benefit the world but they go unnoticed.

Michael Johnson, New York, New York (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 5:16 PM)

I heard the room was $600, not $1,600 per night.

Jane Doe (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 6:12 PM)

I'm still trying to peice together what happened and what caused her to die. I also can't believe that Rosie O'Donnell talked bad about her only hours before she died. Rosie was then asked after Anna died was she sorry for what she said, and her answer was, NO.

Gail, Greensboro, NC (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 6:13 PM)

She is dead..RIP Anna but someone should really think about HOWARD. He has to involved. First Danny goes to the Bahamas and he dies and now Anna. I think it was all planned out for Danny to die first before Anna so he wasnt left with all of her money!Howard is guilty. He has his finger in this some way or another. Pills in his name where found on the side of her bed. why were they in his name? Did someone test those pills and see what the hell they were...they could have been mixed with Arsenic.

Jasmine T. North Hollywood, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 6:30 PM)

Ahh...she died because her lifestyle was such that she was on a downward spiral. She is ok now wherever she is, definitely in a better place than she was on earth. The only person left to pick up the pieces of Anna's messy life is a little girl with no mother, who has no clue who her dad is, who is exploited at every turn by every man her mother ever knew much less slept with. She will forever be the target of some media attention and all through no fault of hers except that she was her mother's daughter. I hope that this little girl will have a normal life. I hope this little girl grows up with better sense than making her mother's choices and have better role models than aspiring to be a stripper, a gold-digger and if all fails, sleep her way for everything.

LP (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 6:44 PM)

there's nothing wrong with working at a chicken shack. The woman is dead, show some respect

ZIG (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 7:07 PM)

My Prayers for her daughter are that she escapes the scandle that followed her mom

Paul (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 7:10 PM)

Could it be that she died because she was trying to lose the baby weight too quickly to get back to "TrimSpa" shape, and it put too great a strain on her heart? (what with dealing with stress and depression and all) It's her baby I feel sorry for. Poor kid. She's going to be used by whoever gets custody to feather their own nest. If she was penniless, I suspect there wouldn't be people lining up to get their hands on her.

Pam, Yakima WA (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 7:59 PM)

Anna-Nicole Smith should be remembered as the "Queen of Free Spirits". She was beautiful, spontaneous, wild and wicked. We all loved her because she dared to be herself and she dared to challenge social norms. She was a woman who oozed sexuality and embraced her Goddess with gutso. I never was a "fan" as such, but I have always delighted in seeing Anna-Nicole Smith, especially with her 'shameless' antics at the MTV awards in Australia. After the unfortunate death of her son, days after she gave birth to her daughter, I began to grieve - for a lost soul who deserved a whole lot better. When I learned of her death on the internet that fateful day, I burst into tears and begun to light candles and burn frankincense and pray for her. Life should never be this unfair to anyone! Anny-Nicole, you're our Queen of Free Spirits. Thank you for showing us all how to get out of the Victorian closet, to losen up and not take ourselves too seriously - no matter how bad life gets. She had, what we Australians call, that "larakin" spirit, but of a bright feminine nature. Dannielynn should grow up to be very proud that she had a mother like Anna-Nicole. She had some incredible virtues that will, sadly, only now be appreciated in her death. RIP our Queen of Free Spirits xoxox

Diana Rose. Sydney, Australia (Sent Tuesday, February 13, 2007 8:08 PM)

Have any of Anna Nicole's sex partners been tested for HIV????????? This lady was bed hopping big time!!

Jan Laws, Divide, CO (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 12:04 AM)

First of all, Brandi Bradberry, I think you didn't quite understand what the writer of the article was getting at. Go back and read it again, get someone to help you with it if you need. Your reaction implies that YOU think it's negative to work at a chicken place. Just because she says Smith still has some of her old country girl self doesn't mean she is putting her down. Secondly, why should we have to change our opinions about someone just because they're dead? It's one thing to say "i wish they would die!" and then they do and when asked about it you're happy, but its a complete different thing to express your negative opinions about someone and still believe the same after they're dead. Does being dead make you a changed person? Michael Johnson, I agree with you, let's worry more about the innocent people who get killed every day in this world. Anna Nicole has had our attention, now lets use it for something more positive....

Anelisa J, Germany (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 3:29 AM)

Anna's death has spawned a very special vein of human fecal matter in the pathetic publicity seeking man-whore calling himself "Prince" Frederic von Anhalt, now throwing his cap into the nasty sperm ring. It would be so fun to see Zsa Zsa in the pages of People magazine doing diaper duty at the age of 90.May Anna be given the dignity she wasn't given in life,and let her rest in peace with her much loved son. Let her go,let her be

Susan Squier (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 3:48 AM)

You wanted to know when Daniellyn was conceived. Born on Thursday, September 07, 2006, Daniellyn was conceived on or about Thursday, December 15, 2005. So unless all of these men were standing in line they can not All be the father of the baby.

Carrie, Fayetteville NC. (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 5:44 AM)

I just have a bad feeling about HOWARD...something is bad wrong with this whole ordeal..I pray that the truth will come out very soon and that the baby will be with her real father who loves her, rich or poor..I do believe that Anna's heart just stopped and it was her time..

Dianna Sky, Kansas City, KS (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 8:18 AM)

Gee, a junkie who died of an overdose - yep, that's news!

Zoe Lorca, Earth (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 8:23 AM)

Anne Nicole is really a true person, a mother, a lover. It shows that she is a human being, feeling the pain and the emptiness of losing his son Daniel.Maybe she has the depression. She will always be remember as a loving mother, a true person, a fighter and a very intelligent and wise lady.someday when danielyn grow up. i think she will be very proud of her mother.

elsa nicolas (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 8:57 AM)

I was not a fan of Anna Nicole's, however, I do agree that this is a tragic end to a beautiful woman with a chaotic and dysfunctional life who seemed to create her own troubles with the exception of the death of her son. There is no doubt that she was probably a very caring and sweet person, but it seemed to me that her "dream" for wealth and fame also became her demise. One thing that I don't understand, is the interview in which she talked so coldly concerning her mother and accused her of abusing her. If this is true, then why did she leave her son Daniel with her mother many years ago for her to raise him?? I don't get the Howard Stern relationship either. I think he cared about her, but not enough to intervene in the drug abuse that was obviously going on--come on, no one in their intelligent mind can say that those slurred interviews, award presentations, and reality shows were not some sign that she was using some kind of drug--illegal or prescription, whatever, she was under the influence of some kind of drug most any time that she was in the presence of a camera. How sad! I guess she was the Marilyn Monroe of this generation. May God pour his blessings on the baby girl who is such an innocent and tragic victim in this awful mess.

Deirdre Lewis, NC (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 9:17 AM)

What a tragic story this is everyone wanting to pretend they care. So sad that the one thing the poor women wanted all her life was gone when she lost her son. She just wanted uncondtional love and her son was the ONLY one who gave that to her. The people around her didn't care about her well being, if they truly did she wouldn't be dead now. She needed compassion and therapy not DRUGS!!! Mercy for her will come where she is now, she was flawed but she had a sweet soul.

diva (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 10:43 AM)

I think the world will be a much duller place without the light of Anna Nicole. RIP Baby

bunny (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 11:00 AM)

Thank goodness. One less money grubbing skank in the world is reason to celebrate!!

Barb Pierce (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 11:04 AM)

I hope that she can rest in peace now. I know that if I lost a child I would have to be sedated most of my days just to get through the pain. I feel for her because no one knows what she was going through, we are just on the outside looking in but do not know her pain. Now her daughter will be without ever knowing who her mother is. Regardless of how she lived her life, the loss of her life is still sad. We have no right to judge her, she should be judged by her higher power not us.

Melinda Leal, Sheppard AFB, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 12:03 PM)

If noone remembers this, she was really the very firt plus size model we had. She opened the door for Emma and everyone forgets that when she did the Guess jeans commercials and ads she was atleast a 10/12 and that was in the 80's when the models were still like a size -0. I'll always remember her for being her and not giving a nickel what people said about her, obviously she did, but not out in public. She took it with a grain of salt, or so I thought. It is a blow to everyone that such a icon is gone, and yes I used that word icon because in reality thats what she was, not just to me, but to a lot of people. She gave everyone of us small town girls and guys the hope that we could make it just like she did..She made me feel like it was okay to be big and beautiful and you know what it is okay...I will miss her comedic style for a very long time,,,I was deeply saddened by this event and still shed tears for her and her family that she left behind, that poor little girl who will grow up without that supermom that she had. In all the time that I watched her she was always hamming it up for the camara but you could tell she also was hamming it up for her son and having fun with him, she seemed like a wonderful mother on her reality t.v. show.. It is a shame..

Deb, NV (Sent Wednesday, February 14, 2007 12:41 PM)

What amazes me is all of these people who comment about how they don't care and that the media should stop covering her death. The funny thing about that is that if they really didn't care, why in the world are they here reading about it in the first place? Public figures die public deaths. It's been that way forever and will always be that way. If you don't want to hear about it, don't read the articles or turn the channel. Some of us are human beings and do care about people with troubled lives. I'd care whether it's the most famous person in the world or the homeless guy in the Target parking lot.

Serra, CA (Sent Friday, February 16, 2007 7:09 PM)

how do we not know if howard killed her son the her for his so to speak daughter could get all that money it sure is funny he died the she died i think they need to look at him he was there when her son died as well as her then he left. if he did i hope he gets the death penalty

cindy nc (Sent Saturday, February 17, 2007 11:10 AM)

As unfortunate as it is for this child to be left without her mother, Anna Nicole Smith was a rash, determined woman who did in fact have a dream....and went for it. Only she rose to fame because she was successful in winning a large portion of money that she did not earn, or deserve. Regardless, she continued on to make a fool of herself on television as the icon of gluttony. Somehow, through her slurred speech and spontaneous outbursts, she managed to capture of the hearts of those willing to tolerate her frivolous, and overexposed lifestyle. No one deserves tragedies...they happen. But her success was based purely on her greed...I consider this a reason why I frowned when Anna Nicole was alive, and now that she's passed...I really don't feel any different. Empathetic perhaps...but why people actually feel emotionally attached to her loss? Part 23897 of the Anna Nicole Smith Saga.

Garvin G. (Sent Monday, February 19, 2007 10:20 AM)

May her soul rest in peace.

saida, nassau, bahamas (Sent Monday, February 19, 2007 6:05 PM)

it really is a tragedy, despite her lifestyle. i mus comment though on the ppl who want their daughters to be like her...THAT IS VERY SAD !!!

Renee B (Sent Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:07 PM)

Anna Nicole may you rest in peace, so may your son you will be very missed by alot of people. I said a prayer for you today, I hope you did not mind. I asked the Lord to comfort you and put your tears behind. I prayed for peace and mercy too to help you through each day. And for his loving guidance as He leads you on your way. You need not walk this path alone so I prayed He'd hold your hand, and offer you some guidance in a way you'll understand. I asked him for little miracles and to bless you every day. Keep searching for the rainbows and let Him light your way.

Loretta vancouver, british columbia, canada (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 5:36 PM)

I've read the comments left regarding this saga, and I have to say one thing. People should learn to put themselves in other people's shoes before commenting. It is a very good thing that popular opinion (positive, neutral, or negative) is not the author nor finisher of any man's (or women's) fate.

David, KCKS (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 5:53 PM)

So who is the father

Russ meyers (Sent Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:48 PM)

I can only say, it is a shame someone so beautiful had to leave us, but just as her idol Marilyn, it was time....can you picture either Anna or Marilyn 60 + ? No one can, and no one should. The baby, well I believe he baby will find her place in society, and out of the spotlight. I believe the only person trying to get her hands on what Anna had would be her estranged mother. The greed comes out when people die, and Howard knows that with Danny being the beneficiary of all Anna had, if he wanted it, he would have had her change the will BEFORE he "killed" her as some have said. This is tragic, but all those who are icons die young, Elvis, James Dean, Marilyn, JFK, now Anna. There is no foul play, just a tragic end to a troubled life. Just goes to show that money doesn't bring happiness. Ever considered the "widow" throry? Those married for years on end will die within a year of their spouse, while Danny was not her spouse he was the closest thing to Ann's heart, and maybe she died of a broken heart.

JLH Keller,Tx (Sent Tuesday, February 27, 2007 5:04 PM)

How can Howard Stern honestly say that he truely cared for Anna Nicole? Who is he trying to kid. Anyone who believes it is entertaining to video tape, and laugh at a very pregnant, extremely intoxicated women is just plain sick. No matter how you slice it he's a real piece of ....well, you know. And as for Virgie Arthur... I say hats off to you. I don't believe for a minute that Virgie abused Anna as a child. If Virgie was really the abuser Anna claimed she was then she never would have left her beloved 3month old son with her. I feel sorry for Virgie, she raised that child for 6 years and never got a thank you from her daughter. And I bet dimes to donuts that Virgie didn't get a bit of child support for all those years. If she had, Virgie wouldn't be living in a 60,000 dollar house she'd be living on easy street. Give the poor girl a break!

Lee Anderson (Sent Friday, March 02, 2007 4:49 PM)



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