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February 8, 2007

Anna Nicole Smith Dies at Age 39


Former model and reality TV star Anna Nicole Smith was pronounced dead on Thursday. She was 39.

The all-American blonde bombshell, who grew up in a small Texas town, became one of the biggest and brashest stars in the world.

The first news of Anna Nicole’s death came from one of her lawyers, Ronald Rale, as he spoke to MSNBC’s Rita Cosby.

“I can confirm Anna Nicole is deceased; I was informed with a person who was in the room with Howard Stern,” Rale revealed.

He said while she felt ill, suffering from flu-like symptoms, nothing else seemed out of the ordinary for the former Playboy playmate.

Anna Nicole collapsed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, where she was found unresponsive.

Her bodyguard was the first to administer CPR, and once on the scene, paramedics raced to save her life, even put a breathing apparatus in her throat.

But sadly, it wasn’t enough to save her life. Anna Nicole was pronounced dead at 2:49 p.m.

The cause of death is still unknown and will be determined by the medical examiner as the Florida police investigate this tragic story.

The man she’s been referring to as her husband, her lawyer Howard K. Stern, who claims to be the father of her baby, was with her; the couple was reportedly in Florida to purchase a boat.

The family of Howard Marshall II, whom Anna Nicole married 1994, issued this statement:

“Our family was shocked by the untimely death of Anna Nicole Smith. We wish to express our sympathies to her family in this difficult time. We understand that many of you will be asking questions concerning the ongoing litigation with Anna. Out of respect to her friends and family, we will reserve comment on the litigation at this time.”

Hugh Hefner released this statement to "Extra:"

“I am very saddened to learn about Anna Nicole’s passing. She was a dear friend who meant a great deal to the Playboy family and to me personally. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”

From Playmate to billionaire bride, her court fight, TrimSpa ads and everything in between, it seemed America couldn’t get enough of Anne Nicole’s life, which led to her hit reality show.

“Extra” first met Anna in 1997, when the model and actress told us how she’d beaten an addiction to booze and drugs.

“My son walked into my room, and he kind of opened the door, peeked up a bit and said, ‘Mommy, do you need anything?’ It kind of woke me up and hit home,” she admitted.

It was her son, Daniel, who was a steadfast by her side, even as she battled for a fortune after her Texas oil tycoon husband, J. Howard Marshall, passed away.

It was also in the courtroom that her lifelong fascination with Marilyn Monroe turned into this eerie prediction on the stand: “I want to be buried in the same concrete thing as Marilyn Monroe.”

But “Extra” also knew the wild side of Anna Nicole, who loved to party across the world.

Most recently, we spotted her partying it up in the Virgin Islands at a Jose Cuervo beauty contest.

“I always wanted to be in a pageant, but I never could,” she said. “I guess because I’m a bad girl.”

It was this self-proclaimed bad girl who used her celebrity to turn TrimSpa ads into an American catchphrase of “Do you like my body? TrimSpa baby!”

But Anna’s life took a sudden and tragic turn almost six months ago to the day, when her son suddenly died in the Bahamas from a mix of Methadone and anti-depressants just three days after the birth of her baby girl, Dannielynn.

Smith’s daughter’s birth sparked a fierce battle between Howard K. Stern and Anna’s former boyfriend Larry Birkhead.

Just this week Anna was ordered by a judge to provide DNA samples by Feb. 21 to determine who Dannielynn’s daddy really is.

Now, the whirlwind of Anna Nicole’s life has finally calmed, as her family and loved ones mourn the tragic loss of her life.


Click on an image to view the Anna Nicole Smith photo gallery


NEXT: PETA Issues Statement on Anna Nicole Smith's Death

 

I’m speechless.Some should look into her lawyer or her close people. Her son dies now Nicole. Sound double murder. God take this angel show her and her son love and peace


- Rhadames
Posted 02/09/07 03:20 AM
 

Ifeel so sorry for anna and her baby this is the saddest thing i heard in a long time. god rest her soul but i think anna waunted to die apart of the reason is her sons death. i think it is much more to this story. we should let her rest in peace.


- james
Posted 02/09/07 02:30 AM
 

You know, it’s funny (odd that is) everyone says bad things about Anna Nicole and every other Hollywood star out there while they are alive. However, when one dies, everyone is all boo hoo about it. If you don’t like someone while they are alive and don’t respect someone when they are on this earth, do not pretend to mourn them when they have departed. As far as Rosie saying something negative about her just the other day, well in my opinion, if she does “apologize” for it, it will be no more than a brash lie to save face. If she were still alive and she apologized that may be a different story but not now. And, just some food for thought…If you have a family member that you do not care about or for, won’t talk to, etc…and that person dies, don’t bother going to their funeral when they are gone and pretend to mourn the “loss” it was no loss to you if you didn’t bother to care for them in life.


- Christy
Posted 02/09/07 12:19 AM
 

Anna Nicole Smith was always so full of life that it’s hard to believe she’s gone forever. Won’t forget her big smile she always had for everyone.
Rest in peace.


- Debbie
Posted 02/08/07 11:08 PM
 

She was sertainly no Marylin Monroe or Princess Diana and had no abvious talents apart from embarasing herself. So comparisans are not called for. Nor is rude and inappropriate remarks. Remember she has freinds and relatives who don’t need to hear such things. May they learn from the last 6months and start making better desicions mainly for her daughter


- Anonymous
Posted 02/08/07 11:08 PM
 

she probably had a heart attack from too much trim spa. Very Sad


- Anonymous
Posted 02/08/07 10:29 PM
 

This is such sad news. It takes me back to how I felt when Princess Diana died.
So sudden and tragic.
Poor Anna Nicole. So young and beautiful.
Shouldn’t have happened this way.
God bless.


- Anonymous
Posted 02/08/07 09:31 PM
 


This is sad and shocking news for everyone. She had such extreme tragedies in her life that I think everyone was routing for her life to turn around and that she would be able to get through the heartache of losing her son. No longer possible. May she rest in peace.


- Anonymous
Posted 02/08/07 09:22 PM
 

Yesterday, thursday, Rosie made fun of Anna Nicole Smith on The View. This was just a few hours before Anna died. I hope Rosie makes an apology tomorrow - and keeps her mouth shut. She must feel terrible and embarrassed!! When the tabloids show it then she will have to make another comment.


- Tammy
Posted 02/08/07 09:20 PM
 

Anna is very sweet! What I don’t understand is why her husband didn’t seem to show extreme concern for her drug addiction or try and help her with the problem (Evident in many tv interviews.) I hope he didn’t plot her death to have rights to her fortune. He was present when she was found unconcious and not breathing. I don’t know…. it just sounds very fishy to me!

RIP Anna!


- nursing student
Posted 02/08/07 09:19 PM
 

I met her once.. She was very sweet and nice to us. Very sad…


- Tina
Posted 02/08/07 09:12 PM
 

i just want to say when i heard that anna nicole died i was like you have to be kidding me then i seen it online and i couldnt believe it and just want to say her family is in my thoughts and prayers.
sincerely wendy


- wendy
Posted 02/08/07 08:46 PM
 

This is not a forum for fast food. Anna..was a real person people..not just some object like french fries, although they are good there. I once got the homestyle fries and was disappointed…curly is the only way to go. R.I.P. Anna


- Jill Johnson
Posted 02/08/07 08:45 PM
 

It is so easy for some people to pass judgement on Anna. In the end I saw a woman whom loved her son more than life itself. I will never forget how much you grieved for your beloved son.I know you and your son are at peace now.


- leilani
Posted 02/08/07 08:42 PM
 

i think its awful that anna nicole died my heart goes out to the ones who loved her and cared about her may god bless the people who loved her and cared about her.
sincerely wendy


- wendy
Posted 02/08/07 08:39 PM
 

WHAT A SHOCK.MY HEART GOES OUT TO HER DAUGHTER AND HUSBAND.I DON’T THINK SHE EVER GOT OVER THE LOSS OFF HER SON.I HOPE THEY ARE TOGETHER AGAIN AND WANT OVER THE BABY.R.I.P ANNA


- Anonymous
Posted 02/08/07 07:47 PM
 

R.I.P Anna U will be missed


- mon
Posted 02/08/07 07:27 PM
 

I am so so sorry for Anna Nicole. She suffered so much. Everyone in the media were so mean to her, and now they’re claiming that drugs was involved in this? That’s cruelty beyond belief.


- ???
Posted 02/08/07 07:14 PM
 

I think this says it all…
But Anna’s life took a sudden and tragic turn almost six months ago to the day, when her son suddenly died in the Bahamas from a mix of Methadone and anti-depressants just three days after the birth of her baby girl, Dannielynn.


- Tequila
Posted 02/08/07 06:57 PM
 

i just would like to say that she was a person too a dispite her actions she should have the same respect as anyone else,why must people be judged on there life styles us as ”fans ” have no clue what really went on in her home all we know is what we read and see on tv…..so to anna’s family wanna sorry for your loss!!!!!!!!


- tanya
Posted 02/08/07 06:55 PM

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